apapachar
warm, Mexico
In Mexico the warmest word for "cuddle" is apapachar, which means to hold and pamper someone with affection. Abrazar is "to hug" and acurrucarse is "to snuggle".
Meaning: to hold someone close with affection (verb)
Ways to say it
| Mexican | Note |
|---|---|
| apapachar | warm, Mexico |
| abrazar | neutral |
| acurrucarse | curl up together |
Apapachar comes from Nahuatl and is very Mexican. Un apapacho is a cuddle or a caring gesture, and apapachos can also be kind words.
Which one should you use?
Abrazar is a simple hug. Acurrucarse is to curl up close to someone, like a cat on a couch.
How does it change in a sentence?
Acurrucarse is reflexive: me acurruco, te acurrucas, se acurruca.
Did you know?
- Apapachar comes from Nahuatl, and many Mexicans feel it has no perfect one-word match in English.
Examples in context
- Quiero que me apapaches.I want you to cuddle me.
- Los niños se acurrucan en el sillón.The children snuggle up on the couch.
- Dame un abrazo.Give me a hug.
Example conversation
Isabel and her little boy Leo watch a movie at home in Puebla.
- LeoMamá, tengo frío.Mom, I am cold.
- IsabelVen, te apapacho.Come, I will cuddle you.
- LeoMe quiero quedar así.I want to stay like this.
