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.
彼女を抱きしめた。
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.
赤ちゃんを抱く。
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.
子供を抱っこして歩く。
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.
大きな箱を抱えて運ぶ。
Carry a big box in one's arms.
To simply have someone or something within your arms, without necessarily lifting or moving.
Literally 'hold in one's arms'. Used when the arms are wrapped around something.
彼は子犬を腕に抱いていた。
He was holding a puppy in his arms.
To hold in one's arms, often with a sense of embracing and supporting. Slightly more literary.
母親は子供を抱きかかえた。
The mother held her child in her arms.
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.