Essay on love

Linguistic meaning

Love is a four-letter word: a noun and a verb. The definition of love says there are two meanings of this word, one is about having a deep affection for someone or something, and the other one speaks of liking something very much. There is a fine line between the two of them and that's what the question is all about. Help us, dictionary, how do we know where to cross the line?

Maybe we can find the answer in other languages, where love can be translated into multiple words. For example, in Ancient Greek philosophy, there are various words to express the plurality of love. Agape is the love of God for His children and vice versa, Eros stands for intimate and physical love, Philia is the love in a friendship between equals and Storge is the love and affection between parents and their children. These four terms affirm there are different kinds of love, so different ways to love as well, but they don't give away where the margins lay between having a strong affection and liking something very much.

Thus maybe we should look at synonyms and antonyms of love. As I said before, love could be a stronger and more positive form of liking. If we're too scared to tell someone we love them, since so many people are afraid of saying these three words, we can say "I really like you". That probably will keep them wondering in which way: what do you mean, as a friend or more? 

Now I hope you understand the importance of where that border between to like and to love is defined. 

Another synonym of loving is adoring. If we tell someone we adore them that will keep them wondering in which way as well, because the word adore is a synonym of worshipping and so that might be interpreted in two ways: like a creep that stares and has an altar especially for you or like a proud grandma that will pinch your cheek after she says it. If you're reading this because you're searching for the meaning of real love, you'll understand you neither want to be creepy nor a granny. 

You can say "I f*ckingadore everything about you". You can even try it in three more languages (1. ti adoro in Italian, 2. te adoro in Spanish, 3.  je t'adore in French. CHECK. You're welcome ;) ) You can even show them Harry Styles' Adore you music video and some people still won't get it, and even worse, they might start thinking badly of you all because they are confused by the word to adore. They might be confused in general with the concept of feelings and that's frustrating. (Other people like me would find it adorable, but I bet you understand what I mean... So watch out when you use these tricky words!)

Next, if we look at antonyms, the most obvious one is hate. Yet if we say "I don't hate you", the person probably will interpret that with a negative connotation. The same if we tell someone we don't dislike them. Using antonyms isn't recommended because you'll be further away from start.

Summary of this chapter: A linguistic comparison proof 

hating equals extremely disliking

loving equals extremely liking

extremely liking and extremely disliking are opposites

so loving and hating are opposites

Q.E.D.