Ways to say it
| Ukrainian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| обі́йми | obíjmy | masculine, plural |
| об'я́ття | obʺjáttja | neuter |
| обійма́ння | obijmánnja | neuter |
The word обі́йми is frequently used as a warm, informal way to say 'hugs' or 'sending hugs' in messages or at the end of a conversation. To describe the action of hugging, you can use the related verbs обійма́ти, обійня́ти or обніма́ти.
What does it mean word for word?
The noun обі́йми is a plural form that literally translates to 'embraces'.
Which one should you use?
While обі́йми is the most common way to say 'hugs' in a general sense, об'я́ття is a more formal or poetic term for 'embrace'. Обійма́ння is also a neuter noun form for the concept of a hug.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb обійма́ти is the imperfective form used to describe the ongoing action of hugging, whereas the perfective form обійня́ти is used for the completed act of a single hug. If you want to express the mutual action of two people hugging one another, you can use the reflexive form обійня́тись.
How do you pronounce it?
obíjmy
Did you know?
- The word обі́йми shares a root with words related to 'circling' or 'encompassing', reflecting the way arms wrap around a body.
- In Ukrainian literature and poetry, the word об'я́ття is often used to describe the 'embrace' of nature, such as the 'embrace of the forest' or the 'embrace of the sea'.
- The reflexive verb обійня́тись can describe not just two people hugging, but also a person wrapping their own arms around themselves for warmth or comfort.
Examples in context
- Дозвольте мені обійняти вас.Allow me to hug you.
- Привіт! Давай обіймемось.Hi! Let's hug.
- Я полюбляю обіймати тебе.I love hugging you.
- Це були дуже теплі обі́йми.Tse buly duzhe tepli obі'y'my.Those were very warm hugs.
- Я пам'ятаю ваші обі́йми.Ya pam'yatayu vashi obі'y'my.I remember your hugs.
- Нам потрібні міцні обі́йми.Nam potribni mitsni obі'y'my.We need strong hugs.
Example conversation
A man and a woman are saying goodbye at a train station.
- Наталія NataliiaСергію, мені буде тебе бракувати.Serhiiu, meni bude tebe brakuvaty.Serhiy, I will miss you.
- Сергій SerhiiЯ теж, Наталіє. Давай обіймемося.Ya tezh, Nataliie. Davai obiimemosia.Me too, Nataliya. Let's hug.
- Наталія NataliiaТвої обі́йми завжди мене зігрівають.Tvoi obі'y'my zavzhdy mene zihrivaiut'.Your hugs always warm me up.
- Сергій SerhiiБережи себе до наступної зустрічі.Berezhі sebe do nastupnoi zustrichi.Take care of yourself until we meet again.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hug” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
