1.
to embrace, to hug tightly, to hold in one's arms
To wrap one's arms around someone or something and hold them close. Often implies affection, comfort, or strong emotion.
母は子供を強く抱きしめた。
The mother hugged her child tightly.
再会を喜んで抱きしめ合った。
They embraced each other, overjoyed at their reunion.
With 合う for mutual action
ぬいぐるみを抱きしめて眠った。
I fell asleep hugging my stuffed animal.
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Compound verb: 抱く + 締める. Pattern: Xを抱きしめる (embrace X).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 抱きしめている = 'is embracing' or 'is holding tight.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 強く抱きしめる (hug tightly)
- ぎゅっと抱きしめる (squeeze in an embrace)
- 抱きしめ合う (embrace each other)
REGISTER: Neutral. A warm, affectionate word commonly used in both spoken and written Japanese.
WRITING: May also be written as 抱き締める with kanji for しめる.
Related Words
Related:
抱く