宠爱 chǒng’ài to dote on somebody
How to remember 宠爱: 宠 to love + 爱 love = to dote on somebody.
Characters
How it is used
- To dote on and favor someone - 爷爷最宠爱小孙女 (yéye zuì chǒng'ài xiǎo sūnnǚ) grandpa dotes most on his little granddaughter.
- Implies giving special, indulgent affection to a favorite (child, pet, or a ruler's favorite), sometimes to the point of spoiling.
- Contrast plain 爱 (love) - 宠爱 adds pampering/favoritism from a higher party to a lower one.