爱护

àihù

to cherish

HSK 5

Character Breakdown

Meaning and Usage

The verb 爱护 (ài hù) means to cherish, protect, or take good care of something or someone. It combines (love) and (protect), emphasizing both affection and active protection.

Common Contexts

爱护 is often used in contexts involving caring for the environment, public property, or people, especially children or vulnerable groups. It implies a responsible and affectionate attitude.

Collocations and Patterns

  • 爱护环境 (ài hù huánjìng): cherish the environment; used in ecological or social responsibility contexts.
  • 爱护 (ài hù gōnggòng cáiwù): take care of public property; common in schools or public places.
  • 爱护孩子 (ài hù háizi): care for children; emphasizes parental or guardian affection and protection.

Usage Notes

When using 爱护, the speaker implies not only emotional care but also practical protection or maintenance. It is more formal and stronger than simply 喜欢 (like) or 关心 (care about). Avoid confusing 爱护 with 爱好 (àihào), which means hobby or interest.

Summary

Use 爱护 when you want to express cherishing something with both love and protective action, especially in formal or educational contexts.

Example Sentences

我们应该爱护环境,保护地球。

Wǒmen yīnggāi àihù huánjìng, bǎohù dìqiú.

We should cherish the environment and protect the Earth.

老师教导学生要爱护公共财物。

Lǎoshī jiàodǎo xuéshēng yào àihù gōnggòng cáiwù.

The teacher instructs students to cherish public property.

父母总是爱护孩子,关心他们的成长。

Fùmǔ zǒng shì àihù háizi, guānxīn tāmen de chéngzhǎng.

Parents always cherish and care for their children's growth.