pou5抱
Jyutpingpou5
Yalepóuh
Definition
To hold or carry in the arms; to embrace, hug, or lift up.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Focus on the physical action of using the inner arms to secure something against the chest or body. It is the standard term for holding a baby or a pet in one's arms, distinct from simply holding something in the hand. When used for an embrace between people, it implies a closer, more intimate physical connection than a simple handshake or pat on the back.
Examples
She likes to hug her doll while sleeping.
Could you help me hold the child for a moment?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this for holding objects in your hand, such as a pen or a cup, which requires 拎 or 攞. Using 抱 for inanimate objects that are not large or soft enough to be cradled often sounds unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
