Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 擁抱 / 拥抱 | yōngbào | |
| 摟抱 / 搂抱 | lǒubào | |
| 偎抱 | wēibào | formal |
| 依偎 | yīwēi |
The term 'cuddle' can be expressed in several ways depending on whether you are focusing on the physical act of embracing, the act of snuggling for comfort or the specific way one holds another. While 擁抱 / 拥抱 is a general way to say embrace, other terms like 依偎 focus on the sensation of leaning or snuggling against someone.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 摟抱 / 搂抱 is composed of 摟 (lǒu), meaning to hold or embrace with an arm and 抱 (bào), meaning to hug.
Which one should you use?
摟抱 / 搂抱 specifically implies the physical action of wrapping one's arms around someone, such as when cuddling a child or a partner. 依偎 (yīwēi) emphasizes the act of leaning against or snuggling up to someone for comfort or affection, rather than just the act of hugging. Additionally, the term 熊抱 (xióng bào) literally means 'bear hug' and refers to a tight and affectionate embrace.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
偎抱 is a formal or literary way to describe snuggling or cuddling, which is more common in written prose than in daily conversation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Taiwanese Mandarin, the informal term 摟摟 (lōu lōu) is used to mean 'cuddle'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The terms can function as both intransitive verbs meaning to embrace or lie together snugly, and as nouns referring to an affectionate embrace.
How do you pronounce it?
yōngbào
Did you know?
- While 擁抱 / 拥抱 is used for cuddling, it is also the standard term for a greeting hug, which is much less common in traditional Chinese culture than in Western cultures.
- The reduplication in the Taiwanese Mandarin term 摟摟 (lōu lōu) serves to make the action sound 'cuter' or more affectionate, a common linguistic feature called 'baby talk'.
- The 'bear hug' term 熊抱 (xióng bào) is often used as a playful internet slang term to describe a hug that is so tight it is almost overwhelming.
Example sentences for Chinese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cuddle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
