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Kotomora

抱

embrace, hug, hold in arms

JLPTN3StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 1,000Strokes8

Readings

On'yomi

  • ホウ

Kun'yomi

  • だ.く
  • いだ.く
  • かか.える

Nanori

  • たば

Meaning

抱 centers on holding something close to the body: embracing, hugging, or cradling in the arms.

Most common words using 抱

20 of 77
  • 抱くいだく
    N3

    to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to hug

  • 抱くだく
    N2

    to hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby); to embrace; to hug

  • 抱えかかえ

    armful

  • 抱えるかかえる
    N2

    to hold in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to carry under one's arm; to hold (one's head) in one's hands

  • 抱っこだっこ
    N3

    carrying in one's arms (a baby, pet, doll, etc.); holding

  • 辛抱しんぼう
    N2

    patience; endurance; perseverance

  • 抱擁ほうよう

    embrace; hug; holding in one's arms

  • 介抱かいほう
    N1

    nursing; looking after

  • 抱きしめるだきしめる

    to hug (someone) tight; to embrace; to give (someone) a tight hug; to cuddle

  • 抱負ほうふ

    aspiration; ambition; plan; hopes; wishes

  • 抱き合わせだきあわせ

    tie-in; package deal

  • お抱えおかかえ

    personal (employee); employed; retained

  • 抱き合うだきあう

    to embrace each other

  • 抱え込むかかえこむ

    to hold a thing in one's arms; to carry in one's arms; to embrace (e.g. a baby)

  • 抱きつくだきつく

    to cling to; to embrace; to throw one's arms around

  • 抱腹絶倒ほうふくぜっとう

    laughing oneself into convulsions; splitting one's sides laughing; rolling with laughter

  • 抱卵ほうらん

    incubation

  • 抱き上げるだきあげる

    to hold up in one's arms

  • 丸抱えまるがかえ

    completely financed; sponsored; under patronage

  • 辛抱強いしんぼうづよい

    patient; persevering

Explore all words using 抱 →

Study

Etymology

抱 combines 扌 (hand) with 包, which likely contributes the sound and the idea of wrapping or enclosing, suggesting holding something in the hands.

Meaning mnemonic

The hand 扌 wraps around 包, like arms wrapping around a bundle. Picture a person holding a wrapped package close to their chest.

Reading mnemonic

For ホウ, imagine a warm hug that makes you say 'hoo' in comfort: hoo -> ホウ, and the arms embrace tightly.