1.
to hold in one's arms, to carry
To hold something against one's body.
荷物を抱える。
To carry luggage in one's arms.
箱を抱えて運ぶ。
To carry a box in one's arms.
赤ちゃんを抱える。
To hold a baby in one's arms.
両腕で抱える。
To hold with both arms.
膝を抱えて座る。
To sit with one's knees tucked up.
2.
to have, to be burdened with
To have problems, debts, or staff.
問題を抱えている。
I'm dealing with problems.
会社は100人の社員を抱えている。
The company has 100 employees.
借金を抱えている。
I'm burdened with debt.
悩みを抱えている。
I have worries.
秘密を抱えている。
I'm keeping a secret.
抱える is an ichidan verb with both physical and figurative meanings.
TRANSITIVITY:
- Type: 他動詞 (transitive)
- Takes を for the object held or borne
ASPECT (ている):
抱えている means "is holding" (physical) or "has / is burdened with" (figurative).
PHYSICAL USE (to hold in arms):
- 荷物を抱える: to carry luggage in one's arms
- 赤ちゃんを抱える: to hold a baby
- 膝を抱える: to hug one's knees
FIGURATIVE USE (to have, to be burdened with):
- 問題を抱える: to have problems
- 借金を抱える: to be burdened with debt
- 不安を抱える: to have anxiety
- 悩みを抱える: to have worries
- 社員を抱える: to have employees (on staff)
CONTRAST WITH 抱く:
抱く means to hug or embrace, while 抱える emphasizes holding something securely in one's arms or bearing a burden.