abraço
/aˈbɾa.su/
The Portuguese word for embrace is abraço.
abraço can refer to the act of clasping someone in your arms with affection, or the noun describing the act itself. You can use the related verb abraçar to mean 'to embrace' or 'to hug', and the phrase dar um abraço to mean 'to give a hug'.
Meaning: to clasp (someone or each other) in the arms with affection (verb)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Portugal, it is common for people to greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks instead of an embrace.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun abraço (embrace) is derived from the verb abraçar (to embrace/to hug). The plural form of the noun is abraços.
How do you pronounce it?
/aˈbɾa.su/, 3 syllables, stress on the 2nd syllable.
When do people say it?
In Portugal, people often greet one another with a kiss on both cheeks rather than using an embrace.
Did you know?
- In many Portuguese-speaking cultures, especially in Brazil, the phrase dar um abraço is often used as a way to express a warm, informal goodbye in emails or letters, similar to 'warm regards' in English.
- The word abraço shares a root with braço, which means 'arm'. Literally, to abraçar is to 'encircle with the arms'.
- In certain social contexts in Brazil, a greeting may consist of a abraço accompanied by several rhythmic pats on the back, which signals a specific level of platonic camaraderie.
Examples in context
- Eu envolvo você em um abraço quente e macio.I wrap you in a warm and soft embrace.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use abraço in a descriptive context.Tatoeba #4917500 by ianna, translation #9367618 by Nylez
- Por favor, permita-me abraçá-lo(a).Please allow me to embrace you.
- Gostaria de lhe dar um abraço.I would like to give you a hug.
- Vem cá, deixa-me abraçar-te.Come here, let me embrace you.
- Ele me agarrou com força em um abraço.He tightly embraced me in a hug.
Example conversation
Lucas and Juliana meet at the airport after a long time.
- LucasJuliana, que saudade de você!Juliana, I missed you so much!
- JulianaEu também, Lucas! Vem cá para um abraço.Me too, Lucas! Come here for a hug.
- LucasEste é o melhor abraço do mundo.This is the best hug in the world.
- JulianaFico feliz que você chegou.I am happy that you arrived.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry abraço, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
