拥抱

• Pinyin: yōng bào
• Hanzi breakdown: 拥 = 扌 (hand) + 雍, to embrace/hold; 抱 = 扌 (hand) + 包, to hug/carry

Meaning

To embrace; to hug. The act of holding someone in one's arms as a sign of affection.

Used for physical embraces between people, but also metaphorically for embracing ideas, changes, or opportunities. In Chinese culture, public hugging is less common than in Western cultures, making it more significant when it occurs.

Examples

1. 好久不见的朋友见面时热情地拥抱了一下。 Friends who hadn't seen each other for a long time warmly embraced when they met.
2. 我们应该拥抱变化，而不是害怕变化。 We should embrace change rather than fear it.
3. 孩子跑过来紧紧地拥抱了妈妈。 The child ran over and hugged mom tightly.

Usage Guide

Context: affection, relationships, metaphorical

Tone: warm

Do Say

• 来，让我拥抱你一下。(Come, let me give you a hug.)
• 拥抱新技术是企业发展的关键。(Embracing new technology is key to business development.)

Don't Say

• 我拥抱了这个包 (For objects, use 抱 alone — 拥抱 implies affection between people or embracing abstract concepts)

Origin & History

Compound of 拥 (to embrace, to hold) and 抱 (to hug, to carry in arms). Both characters involve holding with arms.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal