Korean word

끌어안다

Pronunciation

Romanizationkkeureoantta

Meaning

  • verbhug

Example

오랜만에 만난 친구를 끌어안았다.o raen ma ne man nan chin gu reul kkeu reo a nat tta

I hugged a friend I hadn't seen in a long time.

Illustration for 끌어안다 (hug)

More examples

엄마는 울던 아이를 보고 끌어안았다.eom ma neun ul deon a i reul po go kkeu reo a nat tta

When Mom saw the child crying, she hugged the child.

Core concept

Pull someone close and hold them tightly in an emotional hug.

Common phrases

  • 친구를 끌어안다chin gu reul kkeu reo an tta

    hug a friend

  • 아이를 끌어안다a i reul kkeu reo an tta

    hug a child

Similar words

안다anda: Holds another person close in the arms to offer care, comfort, or affection.
껴안다kkyeoantta: Presses the body close to another person in a tight embrace that shares warmth or comfort.
포옹하다poonghada: Embraces another person by wrapping both arms around them.
안기다angida: Rests in another person's arms and receives comfort and safety.

Definition in Korean

사람을 팔로 붙잡아 당겨 꼭 껴안는 동작을 가리키는 동사로, 보통 강한 감정이 있을 때 쓴다.sa ra meul pal lo put jja ba tang gyeo kkok kkyeo an neun tong ja geul ka ri ki neun tong sa ro po tong kang han kam jeong i i sseul ttae sseun da

Word origin

끌어안다 (kkeureoantta, "to pull close and hug") is formed from 끌어 (kkeureo, "pull toward") and 안다 (antta, "hold in one's arms"), emphasizing the movement of drawing a person close before hugging.

Usage tips

  • Compared with the broad English verb "hug," this word highlights pulling the other person close, so it often fits reunions, comfort, and strong affection.

Opposites

  • 밀어내다mireonaedapush awayverb

Word lists with this word