Meaning
抱 means to hold something or someone close to your chest with your arms. It can refer to hugging a person affectionately, carrying a baby or object in your arms, or embracing an idea or attitude. The character combines the 'hand' radical (扌) with 包 (bāo, to wrap), suggesting the action of wrapping your arms around something.
Usage
抱 is commonly used for physical holding or hugging (抱孩子 'hold a child', 抱抱 'give a hug'). It also appears in abstract expressions like 抱歉 (bàoqiàn, 'sorry') and 抱怨 (bàoyuàn, 'complain'). When used alone as a verb, it usually takes a direct object. In casual speech, 抱抱 (bàobao) is an affectionate reduplicated form meaning 'hug'.
Examples
- 01妈妈抱着孩子走进了房间。.Mom carried the child in her arms and walked into the room.
- 02我真的很抱歉让你久等了。.I'm really sorry for making you wait so long.
Common collocations
- 抱歉sorry, to feel apologetic
- 抱怨to complain
- 抱抱hug (affectionate)
- 抱着holding (in one's arms)
Antonyms
Origin
The character 抱 consists of the hand radical 扌(shǒu) on the left and 包 (bāo, to wrap/package) on the right, visually representing the act of wrapping one's arms around something to hold it.