Translation guide
To embrace or carry someone or something by wrapping your arms around them. Japanese uses different verbs depending on the nuance: affection, support, lifting, or simply holding.
To hold someone lovingly, like a hug.
A warm, tight embrace, often used for romantic partners, children, or close family.
I held my girlfriend in my arms.
To hold in one's arms, often with a nuance of embracing or cradling. Can be used for children or lovers.
Hold a baby in one's arms.
To hold someone or something while supporting its weight, like carrying a child or a pet.
Common, casual word for carrying a child or pet in your arms. Often used with small children.
Walk while holding a child in one's arms.
To hold something under one's arm or against one's body, often implying carrying a burden. Can be used for objects or abstract things.
To simply have someone or something within your arms, without necessarily lifting or moving.
抱く (だく) is a general verb for holding in arms, often used in written or formal contexts. 抱きしめる (だきしめる) implies a tight, emotional embrace. 抱っこする (だっこする) is casual and specifically means carrying a child or pet in your arms.
大きな箱を抱えて運ぶ。
Carry a big box in one's arms.
The mother held her child in her arms.