レン, こ.う, こい, こい.しい

in love, yearn for, miss, darling

JLPT0 G13 S0 F5000

# is thread(s) + 言 (make verbal distinctions → distinct) → make tangled threads distinct by stretching and untangling them. adds heart/emotions → attempt to untangle confused feelings (of longing, anxiety, or love) by figuratively stretching them straight (compare and ) → *long for*; *be anxious for*; *love*. The top element of the present form of the character represents a tremendous simplification.

[Full Kanji Etymology List]