怀抱

懷抱

huáibào

noun HSK 7-9 #8,854

Meanings

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

Characters

bosom; to cherish

to hold; to embrace

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

Examples

孩子扑进了妈妈的怀抱。

Háizi pū jìn le māma de huáibào.

The child threw himself into his mother's arms.

他怀抱着远大的理想。

Tā huáibào zhe yuǎndà de lǐxiǎng.

He harbors lofty ideals.

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

抱 bào