to have, to hold; to embrace, to hug; to flock, to throng
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Hard
拥
yōng
Taiwan pr. [yong3]
HSK 4, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Hard
yōng(yong1) T1
1to hold
2to embrace
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March 24, 2026
拥(擁)yōng(yong1)
The character 拥 (yōng) primarily means 'to hold' or 'to embrace.' It conveys the action of gathering around someone or something, often implying support or affection. Commonly used in contexts relating to physical embraces, emotional support, or collective gatherings.
Strokes8Radical扌Frequency#9713DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of hugging or embracing is often associated with warmth and support, reflecting the importance of community and relationships in social interactions. 拥 is frequently used in contexts involving family and close friends.
Memory Tip
Imagine a big hug where many arms are wrapping around you, symbolizing the meaning of 拥 (yōng). The character itself has a hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating action, while the right part suggests a gathering of people around you, helping you remember both the form and pronunciation.
Meanings of 拥
yōng(yong1)
1to hold
2to embrace
Exercise 1 of 2
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 拥
拥Simplified
擁Traditional
8Strokes
扌Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#9713Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L4
Podcast: 拥
Podcast: 拥
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AI Study Notes for 拥
Quick Contrast
拥 (yōng) vs 抱 (bào): Use 拥 for a broader sense of gathering or embracing, while 抱 specifically refers to holding someone closely in one's arms.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a big hug where many arms are wrapping around you, symbolizing the meaning of 拥 (yōng). The character itself has a hand radical (扌) on the left, indicating action, while the right part suggests a gathering of people around you, helping you remember both the form and pronunciation.
Usage Notes
Be careful not to confuse 拥 with similar characters that imply different types of holding, like 抱 (bào), which is more about holding tightly. It's often used in both formal and informal contexts, but is more common in everyday speech. A common collocation is 拥抱 (yōng bào), meaning 'to hug.'
HSK Study Tips
Although not included in the HSK levels, 拥 is relevant for learners at HSK 3-4 due to its practical usage. Focus on understanding its application in both physical and emotional contexts, as well as its combinations with other verbs for nuanced meanings.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, the act of hugging or embracing is often associated with warmth and support, reflecting the importance of community and relationships in social interactions. 拥 is frequently used in contexts involving family and close friends.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 拥 with similar verbs like 担 (dān) which means 'to carry.' For example, saying '我拥这个包' (Wǒ yōng zhège bāo) incorrectly suggests hugging a bag instead of saying '我抱这个包' (Wǒ bào zhège bāo), which means 'I hold this bag.'
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 拥
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Grammar Patterns of 拥
拥 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 10 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
My idea of physical perfection is to be very slender.
Cultural Notes for 拥
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, the act of hugging or embracing is often associated with warmth and support, reflecting the importance of community and relationships in social interactions. 拥 is frequently used in contexts involving family and close friends.
Word Family of 拥
Words Containing This Character13
拥有yōngyǒuto have擁有
拥抱yōngbàoto embrace擁抱
拥yōngto hold擁
拥挤yōngjǐcrowded擁擠
拥护yōnghùto endorse擁護
簇拥cùyōngto escort簇擁
一拥而上to swarm around一擁而上
拥戴(popular) support擁戴
拥挤不堪overcrowded擁擠不堪
蜂拥to mill蜂擁
拥护者supporter (person)擁護者
拥塞to be clogged up擁塞
一拥而入to swarm in (of people etc) (idiom)一擁而入
Exercise 1 of 4
Compound Meaning
What does 拥有 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 拥
Common phrases with 拥 include 拥抱 (yōngbào), which means 'to hug', and 拥挤 (yōngjǐ), meaning 'crowded'. These phrases illustrate the character's meanings related to holding and gathering.
拥 can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It's commonly found in everyday conversations as well as in literature and speeches, especially when expressing warmth or togetherness.
拥 (yōng) means 'to hold' or 'to embrace'. It can also refer to wrapping around something or gathering around someone. In a broader sense, it conveys the idea of thronging or swarming around an object or person.
You can use 拥 in a sentence like '我拥抱了我的朋友' (wǒ yōngbào le wǒ de péngyǒu), which means 'I hugged my friend'. It can also be used in contexts like '人们拥在一起' (rénmen yōng zài yīqǐ), meaning 'people gather together'.
拥 (yōng) generally implies a broader or more collective embrace, while 抱 (bào) refers to holding something tightly, often in a more personal context.
Yes, 拥 can be used metaphorically to express support or acceptance of ideas or groups, not just physical embraces.
拥 is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal situations, making it suitable for everyday conversation.
