()

だく
verb (godan)
to embrace, to hug, to hold
1. to embrace, to hug
To hold someone in one's arms.
子供(こども)()く。
To hold a child.
彼女(かのじょ)(つよ)()いた。
I hugged her tightly.
(はは)()かれる。
To be held by one's mother.
(やさ)しく()いた。
I hugged gently.
(わか)(ぎわ)()いた。
I embraced at the moment of parting.
2. to hold, to carry
To hold something against one's body.
子供(こども)()く。
To hold a child.
荷物(にもつ)()いて(ある)く。
To walk while holding luggage.
(まくら)()いて()る。
To sleep holding a pillow.
(ほん)()いて(はし)る。
To run while holding books.
ぬいぐるみ}を{抱()いている。
I'm holding a stuffed animal.
(いぬ)()く。
To hold a dog.

()く means to hold someone or something in one's arms, typically embracing warmly.

TRANSITIVITY:

  • Type: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive)
  • Passive: ()かれる (to be held/embraced)

READINGS:

  • ()く: to physically hold/embrace (common, spoken)
  • (いだ)く: to harbor feelings, to hold in one's heart (literary)

ASPECT (ている):
()いている indicates the ongoing state of holding something: 子供(こども)()いている (is holding a child).

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 子供(こども)()く: to hold a child
  • (つよ)()く: to embrace tightly
  • (やさ)しく()く: to hold gently
  • (まくら)()いて()る: to sleep hugging a pillow

RELATED:

  • ()きしめる: to hug tightly
  • ()っこ: being held (child's word)