Usage note
爱人可以表示配偶，也可以表示心爱的人。
ài rén kě yǐ biǎo shì pèi ǒu， yě kě yǐ biǎo shì xīn ài de rén。
爱人 can mean spouse or a beloved person.
Context note
爱人常出现在家庭和关系话题里。
ài rén cháng chū xiàn zài jiā tíng hé guān xì huà tí lǐ。
爱人 often appears in family and relationship topics.
5 examples
他的爱人很温柔。
tā de ài rén hěn wēn róu。
His spouse is very gentle.
爱人回家了。
ài rén huí jiā le。
The loved one came home.
她和爱人一起吃饭。
tā hé ài rén yì qǐ chī fàn。
She eats with her spouse.
爱人会照顾家人。
ài rén huì zhào gù jiā rén。
A loved one takes care of the family.
这是他的爱人。
zhè shì tā de ài rén。
This is his spouse.
5 mini stories
她的爱人今天做饭，所以她可以早点休息。
tā de ài rén jīn tiān zuò fàn， suǒ yǐ tā kě yǐ zǎo diǎn xiū xi。
Her spouse cooked today, so she could rest earlier.
他们像爱人一样互相帮助。
tā men xiàng ài rén yí yàng hù xiāng bāng zhù。
They help each other like loving partners.
爱人回家以后，家里就热闹起来。
ài rén huí jiā yǐ hòu， jiā lǐ jiù rè nào qǐ lái。
After the loved one comes home, the house becomes lively.
我听爷爷说他和爱人认识了很多年。
wǒ tīng yé ye shuō tā hé ài rén rèn shi le hěn duō nián。
I heard Grandpa say he has known his spouse for many years.
这个词有时候很正式，常在大人的话里听到。
zhè ge cí yǒu shí hòu hěn zhèng shì， cháng zài dà rén de huà lǐ tīng dào。
This word is sometimes formal and is often heard in adults' speech.
Related words and contrasts
related
家人
jiārén
family members
A broader term for family, including loved ones.
related
朋友
péngyou
friend
A person you care about and like to spend time with.