抱抱我
bào bào wǒ
To say "hug me" in Chinese, you use 抱抱我 (bào bào wǒ).
抱抱我 is a request for someone to hold you in their arms to show affection or provide comfort.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 抱抱, which means to hug or hold and 我, which means me or I. The reduplication of the verb 抱 into 抱抱 softens the tone, making the request sound more affectionate or cute.
Which one should you use?
While 抱抱我 is a soft and cute way to make the request, 抱我 is a more direct and standard way to say "hug me".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
抱抱我 is highly informal. It is often used in a "cute" (sǎjiāo) manner, typically between romantic partners or when speaking to children.
How do you pronounce it?
bào bào wǒ
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, physical affection like hugging was rarely shown in public, making the use of 抱抱我 a relatively modern shift in urban romantic dynamics.
- The single verb 抱 is the root for many more serious terms, such as 'to embrace' or even 'to hold a grudge' when used with specific nouns.
- The cute tone used in 抱抱我 is an example of 撒娇 (sǎjiāo), a complex social behavior where an adult acts like a child to show affection or persuade a partner.
Examples in context
- 请抱抱我。Qǐng bào bao wǒ.Please hug me.
- 我现在很难过，快来抱抱我。Wǒ xiànzài hěn nánguò, kuài lái bào bao wǒ.I am very sad right now, come and hug me.
- 我想让你抱抱我。Wǒ xiǎng ràng nǐ bào bao wǒ.I want you to hug me.
Example conversation
Xiaowen is feeling upset and seeks comfort from Junjie.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，我今天心情很不好。Jùnjié, wǒ jīntiān xīnqíng hěn bù hǎo.Junjie, I am in a bad mood today.
- 俊杰 Junjie怎么了？发生什么事了？Zěnme le? Fāshēng shénme shì le?What's wrong? What happened?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen没什么，你就抱抱我吧。Méi shénme, nǐ jiù bào bao wǒ ba.It's nothing, just hug me.
- 俊杰 Junjie好，我会一直陪着你的。Hǎo, wǒ huì yīzhí péizhe nǐ de.Okay, I will always be with you.
