抱

• Pinyin: bào
• Hanzi breakdown: 抱 = 扌(hand radical) + 包 (wrap, phonetic component), meaning to hold in one's arms

Meaning

To hold; to hug; to embrace. The action of wrapping one's arms around someone or something.

Used for physically holding a person, child, or object in one's arms. Also used figuratively in expressions like 抱歉 (feel sorry), 抱怨 (complain), 抱有希望 (harbour hope). The physical sense ranges from a warm hug to simply carrying something in one's arms.

Examples

1. 妈妈抱着宝宝，轻轻地唱着歌。 Mum held the baby and gently sang a song.
2. 好久没见了，他们一见面就紧紧地抱在一起。 They hadn't seen each other in ages — as soon as they met they hugged tightly.
3. 你能帮我抱一下这个箱子吗？我去开门。 Can you help me hold this box for a moment? I'll go open the door.

Usage Guide

Context: family, everyday, emotional

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 来，让我抱抱你。(Come, let me give you a hug.)
• 她抱着一大束花走进了教室。(She walked into the classroom holding a large bouquet of flowers.)

Don't Say

• 对不熟悉的人说'让我抱你' (Don't ask to hug someone you don't know well — physical affection is reserved for close relationships in Chinese culture)

Origin & History

Composed of 扌(hand radical, indicating a hand action) and 包 (wrap, phonetic component). The idea of wrapping with hands naturally conveys embracing or holding.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal