抱 (bào) - to hold or carry in the arms & to embrace

抱Tone 4

bào ｜ 8 strokes ｜ radical: 扌

傲不

抱 · bào

to hold or carry in the arms;

to embrace;

to hug;

to cherish (an ambition, hope, etc.

);

to adopt (a child)

to hold or carry in the armsto embraceto hug

Usage highlights

to hugto complain about injusticeto hold a grudgeto cherish hopeto adopt a childto hold an attitude

Synonyms

  • 拥抱— to hug; to embrace
  • 搂抱— to hug; to cuddle
  • 怀有— to harbor (e.g., an idea)

Antonyms

  • 推— to push
  • 放— to release; to let go

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The mother hugged her child (抱孩子).
  • He holds a positive attitude (抱有积极态度).
  • She adopted a baby girl (抱养了一个女婴).
  • I want to complain about this injustice (抱不平).

Collocations

  • to hug(拥抱)
  • to complain about injustice(抱不平)
  • to hold a grudge(抱恨)
  • to cherish hope(抱希望)
  • to adopt a child(抱养)
  • to hold an attitude(抱态度)

Idioms

  • Carrying firewood to put out a fire — making things worse(抱薪救火)
  • Embracing the jade of Chu — presenting one's talents(抱璞楚山)
  • Holding a pipa half-hidden — being reserved or shy(抱琵琶半遮面)
  • Holding a broken jar — sticking to outdated ways(抱残守缺)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • In Chinese culture, '抱' (embracing) signifies affection, care, and protection, often used in familial and friendly contexts.
  • The character is also metaphorically used to describe holding onto ideas, hopes, or grudges, reflecting emotional or psychological states.
  • In historical contexts, '抱' appears in idioms that convey moral or philosophical lessons, such as '抱薪救火' (making things worse) or '抱残守缺' (resisting change).

FAQ