# 爱屋及乌

ài wū jí wū

Extend affection to what a loved person values

## Meaning & wording

**Literally:** Love the house and even its crow

**Traditional Chinese:** 愛屋及烏

**Register:** Warm · general

[People & connection](https://chinese-idioms.yudis.dev/idioms/topics/relationships)

## When to use it

Describe liking someone's associates or belongings through them.

Affection need not override fair judgment.

## Understanding the expression

The crow on a roof need not be attractive by itself. Love for the house extends to something connected with it, making the connection more important than independent qualities. Modern use describes affection spreading from a person to their friends, interests, pets, or possessions. It can be warm or gently teasing. The feeling is understandable, but should not require ignoring harmful behavior merely because someone important to you likes it.

## Examples

因为喜欢她，我爱屋及乌地喜欢了猫。

### Traditional Chinese

因為喜歡她，我愛屋及烏地喜歡了貓。

yīn wèi xǐ huan tā ， wǒ ài wū jí wū dì xǐ huan le māo 。

Because I like her, I came to like her cats too.

他爱屋及乌，支持朋友的球队。

### Traditional Chinese

他愛屋及烏，支持朋友的球隊。

tā ài wū jí wū ， zhī chí péng yǒu de qiú duì 。

His affection for his friend extends to supporting the friend's team.

母亲爱屋及乌，对女婿也很亲切。

### Traditional Chinese

母親愛屋及烏，對女婿也很親切。

mǔ qīn ài wū jí wū ， duì nǚ xu yě hěn qīn qiè 。

The mother's love extends warmly to her son in law.

我爱屋及乌，也读起她推荐的书。

### Traditional Chinese

我愛屋及烏，也讀起她推薦的書。

wǒ ài wū jí wū ， yě dú qǐ tā tuī jiàn de shū 。

My affection led me to read the books she recommends.

## Sources & reference checks

Original explanations and examples from Chinese Idioms Almanac. Source-checked October 6, 2026.

- [CC-CEDICT · forms & pronunciation](https://www.mdbg.net/chinese/dictionary?page=worddict&wdqb=%E6%84%9B%E5%B1%8B%E5%8F%8A%E7%83%8F)

- [Ministry of Education · 成語典](https://dict.idioms.moe.edu.tw/idiomView.jsp?ID=173&webMd=1&la=0)

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