Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| обнима́ться | obnimátʹsja | imperfective |
| обня́ться | obnjátʹsja | perfective |
| прижима́ться | prižimátʹsja | imperfective |
| жа́ться | žátʹsja | imperfective |
| прижа́ться | prižátʹsja | perfective |
Russian uses different verbs depending on whether you are describing a general embrace, the physical sensation of snuggling or the act of hugging. While обнима́ться is the most common way to express cuddling, the transitive verb обнимать is used specifically for 'to hug'.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb обнима́ться is formed from a root meaning 'embrace' and the reflexive suffix –ся, which indicates the action is performed by each other, meaning 'to hug one another'.
Which one should you use?
The forms обнима́ться (imperfective) and обня́ться (perfective) differ in aspect: use обнима́ться to describe an ongoing process or a habit of cuddling, and use обня́ться to describe a single, completed embrace. Additionally, прижима́ться (imperfective) and прижа́ться (perfective) differ from the hugging verbs by emphasizing the physical sensation of pressing one's body closely against another, similar to 'snuggling'.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
obnimátʹsja
Did you know?
- Russian has a specific word обнима́шки which turns the verb for cuddling into a cute noun. It is used as a playful request for hugs, similar to saying 'cuddle time'.
- While обнима́ться is common among friends, a traditional Russian greeting often involves three kisses on the cheeks, which usually accompanies the embrace.
- In Russian, the word for 'to hug' shares a root with words related to 'enveloping' or 'surrounding', implying that a cuddle is like being wrapped in something.
Examples in context
- Он держал ее в объятиях всю ночьHe held her in his arms all night.
- Некоторые животные прижимаются друг к другу, чтобы согретьсяSome animals cuddle close to each other to keep warm.
- Давай прижмемся друг к другуLet's cuddle up to each other.
- Мы любим обнима́ться перед сном.My lyubim obnimat'sya pered snom.We love to cuddle before sleep.
- Дети обожают обнима́ться на диване.Deti obozhayut obnimat'sya na divane.Children love to cuddle on the sofa.
Example conversation
A cozy living room in the evening.
- Александр AleksandrОльга, давай просто обнима́ться под пледом.Ol'ga, davay prosto obnimat'sya pod pledom.Olga, let's just cuddle under the blanket.
- Ольга OlgaЭто отличная идея, Александр.Eto otlichnaya ideya, Aleksandr.That is a great idea, Alexander.
- Александр AleksandrМне так приятно обнима́ться с тобой.Mne tak priyatno obnimat'sya s toboy.It feels so good to cuddle with you.
- Ольга OlgaЯ тоже это очень люблю.Ya tozhe eto ochen' lyublyu.I love it very much too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cuddle” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
