Slang dictionary · Love and relationships · Chinese internet slang
What does lianainao (恋爱脑) mean?
Also written: love brain, 戀愛腦, lian ai nao
In short
恋爱脑 (liàn'àinǎo, literally "love brain") is a mindset fixated on romance: once in a relationship, a person pours all their time and thoughts into their partner, puts love above everything and loses judgment and sense of self. It also means a person like that. It is usually teasing or critical, as in 别恋爱脑了 ("stop being so love-brained"). It is recent internet slang, not a medical or psychological diagnosis.
Typical signs
- one message from the partner decides your mood for the whole day
- giving up study, work, friends or plans for them
- everyone can see the problem, but you keep making excuses for them
- deciding "this is the one" after knowing someone a few weeks
- forgiving every hurt as soon as they are nice again
Caring deeply is not the same thing. The point of the word is losing your own judgment and limits.
How to use it
- 「他说下个月就还钱，我又信了，我真是恋爱脑。」 (He said he'd pay me back next month and I believed him again. I'm so love-brained.)
- 「醒醒，别恋爱脑了，他三天没回你消息了。」 (Wake up, he hasn't replied in three days.)
- 「这部剧的女主太恋爱脑了。」 (The heroine in this drama is way too love-brained.)
- 「谈恋爱可以，恋爱脑不行。」 (Dating is fine; a love brain is not.)
There is a whole "anti-love-brain" (反恋爱脑) trend online, with quotes meant to "slap a love brain awake".
Similar words
| Term | Meaning | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| 恋爱脑 (liàn'àinǎo) | love above all, judgment lost | a mindset; the love may be mutual |
| 舔狗 (tiǎngǒu) | keeps pleasing someone who isn't interested | usually one-sided |
| 上头 (shàngtóu) | carried away for a moment | a short-lived state, not only about love |
| delulu | English slang for delusional hopes | about fantasy; 恋爱脑 can be in a real relationship |
Tone and a caution
Calling yourself 恋爱脑 is self-mockery; saying it to a friend can be caring or condescending, depending on how you say it. Loving someone wholeheartedly is not a flaw in itself.
FAQ
Is 恋爱脑 a medical condition?
No. It is internet slang for being overinvested in love, not a medical or psychological diagnosis.
Is 恋爱脑 negative?
Mostly, or at least teasing: it suggests love has clouded someone's head. Used about yourself it is usually a joke.
What is the English equivalent?
There is no exact one. "Love-struck", "lovesick" or "boy-crazy / girl-crazy" come close; the Chinese term stresses losing judgment and self.