noun
romantic love
Refers specifically to romantic, passionate love, often with a sense of longing or yearning. Contrasts with 愛 (あい), which is broader and can include familial or platonic love.
彼女は幼なじみに恋をした。
She fell in love with her childhood friend.
恋は盲目だ。
Love is blind.
愛 is a broader term for love, including familial, platonic, and unconditional love, while 恋 specifically denotes romantic, passionate love often involving longing.
恋愛 is a compound meaning romantic love or love affair, often used in more formal or abstract contexts, whereas 恋 is the simpler, more emotional term.
The kanji 恋 is composed of 心 (heart) and 亦 (also), suggesting a heart drawn to another. The reading こい is of native Japanese origin, with the exact derivation uncertain.