Japanese word

抱く

Pronunciation

Romajiidaku

Meaning

  • verbembrace

Example

私は将来に希望を抱いています。watashi wa shō rai ni ki bō o ida i te i ma su

I have hope for the future.

Illustration for 抱く (embrace)

More examples

彼女は世界を変えたいという理想を抱いています。kano jo wa se kai o ka e ta i to i u ri sō o ida i te i ma su

She embraces the ideal of changing the world.

Core concept

Shows that a person carries a dream, hope, or feeling as something held close inside.

Common phrases

  • 夢を抱くyume o ida ku

    embrace a dream

  • 希望を抱くki bō o ida ku

    harbor hope

Similar words

持つmotsu: To have an idea, feeling, or belief as part of one's thoughts.

Definition in Japanese

夢や希望などの思いを心の中に持つ。yume ya ki bō na do no omo i o kokoro no naka ni mo tsu

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 抱く (idaku) developed from the physical act of holding close, which provides the basis for its use with invisible things such as dreams and hopes.

Usage tips

  • 抱く (idaku) is often found in written or formal speech, while 持つ (motsu) is more common in simple everyday conversation for many abstract ideas.

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