抱 from HSK Level 4 Vocabulary List

The Chinese character 抱 (bào) is composed of two parts: the radical 扌(shǒu), which represents the hand, and the phonetic component 勹 (bāo), which is a simplified form of the character 包 (bāo), meaning "to wrap" or "to hold." The combination of these two components suggests the idea of holding something in one's arms or embracing it.The character 抱 has a rich history and has been used in Chinese literature for centuries. It can be used as a verb, meaning "to hold," "to embrace," or "to hug," or as a noun, meaning "an embrace" or "a hug." In addition, it can also be used in a figurative sense to express feelings of love, affection, or sympathy.For example, the phrase 拥抱 (yǒngbào) means "to embrace" or "to hug," while the phrase 怀抱 (huáibào) means "to cherish" or "to hold in one's heart." The character 抱 can also be used in idioms and proverbs, such as the saying 一抱之仇 (yībàozhīchóu), which means "a grudge that can only be avenged by killing the person who caused it."Overall, the character 抱 is a versatile and expressive character that plays an important role in the Chinese language. Its etymology and usage provide insights into the cultural and historical context of Chinese characters and their meanings.