膝ひざを抱かかえる

expression, ichidan verb

hug one's knees; sit with knees drawn up

Describes the physical posture of sitting with knees pulled to the chest and arms wrapped around them. Often implies a pensive or lonely mood, but the literal action is the core meaning.

• 彼かの女じょは部屋へやの隅すみで膝ひざを抱かかえて座すわっていた。

  She was sitting in the corner of the room hugging her knees.

• 寒さむい夜よるは、膝ひざを抱かかえて毛もう布ふにくるまる。

  On cold nights, I wrap myself in a blanket while hugging my knees.