Chinese Conversation · Level 34
90 words
Chinese word
拥抱
Pronunciation
Pinyinyōng bào
Meaning
- verbhug
Example
她走过来，拥抱了我。tā zǒu guò lái yōng bào le wǒ
She came over and hugged me.
More examples
两位老友见面时，长时间地互相拥抱。liǎng wèi láo yǒu jiàn miàn shí cháng shí jiān dì hù xiāng yōng bào
When the two old friends met, they hugged each other for a long time.
Core concept
A movement that draws someone into a close hold, physically or as a sign of full acceptance.
Common phrases
紧紧拥抱她jín jǐn yōng bào tā
hug her tightly
互相拥抱hù xiāng yōng bào
hug each other
张开双臂拥抱世界zhāng kāi shuāng bì yōng bào shì jiè
embrace the world with open arms
勇敢地拥抱变化yóng gǎn dì yōng bào biàn huà
bravely embrace change
Similar words
抱bào: Taking a person or thing into the arms or hands and holding it.
搂lǒu: Putting an arm around someone and pulling them close against the body.
抱紧bào jǐn: Hugging someone firmly with the arms so the close hold does not loosen.
Definition in Chinese
用双臂把对方搂入怀中以示安慰、亲热或喜爱；亦可引申为接受某事物或观点。yòng shuāng bì bǎ duì fāng lǒu rù huái zhōng yǐ shì ān wèi qīn rè huò xǐ ài yì kě yǐn shēn wèi jiē shòu mǒu shì wù huò guān diǎn
Word origin
拥抱 (yōngbào, "hug") is formed from 拥 (yōng, "hold close") + 抱 (bào, "hold in the arms"), making the compound's physical image easy to connect with its figurative use.
Usage tips
- When an abstract object follows the verb, the wording presents acceptance as active and wholehearted, which suits ideas, policies, and change.