怀抱

懷抱
huáibào
noun HSK 7-9 #8,854

Meanings

  1. 1 embrace; arms (for holding)
  2. 2 aspiration; ambition

Characters

Literally 'bosom embrace' - both the physical act of holding something close and the metaphorical holding of dreams in one's heart.

Examples

HSK 2
Tā huáibào zhe yuǎndà de lǐxiǎng.
He harbors lofty ideals.
HSK 6
Háizi pū jìn le māma de huáibào.
The child threw himself into his mother's arms.

Tips

usage
When 怀抱 means 'embrace,' it works as a noun (投入怀抱 'fall into one's arms'). When it means 'to harbor aspirations,' it works as a verb (怀抱理想 'harbor ideals'). Context makes the meaning clear.

Stroke Order

怀 huái
bào