How to say "embrace" in Japanese

• 抱くいだくJLPT N3approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe formal or literary term for holding someone in one's arms or embracing them, as in embracing a baby; it is the same written verb as 抱く（だく）, distinguished by reading.
  その子供こどもは母親ははおやの腕うでの中なかに抱いだかれて安心あんしんした。↗

  That child felt secure in his mother's arms.
• 抱くだくCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbThe everyday word for holding a person in your arms or hugging them — a baby, a lover. When you simply mean 'hold or hug someone', this is the natural choice.
• 抱きしめるだきしめるCommon
  ichidan verb, transitive verbCovers 'embrace' as hugging someone tight — a reunion, comforting someone in tears — and extends to cuddling. The tightness is the point: you hold the person firmly against you.
  その女性じょせいは赤あかちゃんを抱だきしめた。↗

  The woman pressed the baby to her.
• 抱え込むかかえこむCommon
  godan verb, transitive verbReally about holding or carrying a thing in your arms, so it is seldom the word you want for embracing a person, though it does cover embracing a baby.
  彼かれは両手りょうてで頭あたまをかかえこんだ。↗

  He buried his head in his hands.
• 擁するようするCommon
  suru verb (irregular), transitive verbA dictionary equivalent of 'embrace', but in actual use seldom the word you want for a physical embrace; when you mean hugging someone, this is not the natural choice.

For everyday holding or hugging use 「抱く」（だく）, in formal or literary style 「抱く」（いだく）, for hugging tight 「抱きしめる」, for carrying things in the arms 「抱え込む」, while 「擁する」 is seldom the natural word for a physical embrace.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 抱くいだくto hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby)
• 抱くだくto hold in one's arms (e.g. a baby)
• 抱きしめるだきしめるto hug (someone) tight
• 抱え込むかかえこむto hold a thing in one's arms
• 擁するようするto embrace
• 抱擁ほうようembrace
• 含むふくむto contain
• 抱きつくだきつくto cling to
• 相擁あいようembrace
• すがりつくto cling to
• 抱き抱えるだきかかえるto hold
• 抱き寄せるだきよせるto draw (someone) close to one's breast
• 抱合ほうごうembrace