抱きます（だきます、dakimasu）
- to hug

The Japanese verb 抱きます (だきます, *dakimasu*) means "to embrace," "to hold," or "to hug." It implies a close physical contact, often involving wrapping one's arms around someone or something. It can also figuratively mean to harbor or hold feelings, like "to have" or "to possess." The meaning varies depending on the context. Its literal meaning is more concrete, and its figurative meaning is abstract. The word indicates an action that involves care, protection, and affection. The base form is 抱く (だく, *daku*).

⚫︎ 赤ちゃんを抱きます Translation: I'll hold the baby. ⚫︎ 彼女を抱きしめたい Translation: I want to hug her. ⚫︎ 夢を抱きます Translation: I harbor a dream.

⚫︎ This verb is used in various situations. It is used when literally holding someone or something in your arms, such as a child, a pet, or even an object. ⚫︎ It can also be used figuratively to express the possession of feelings, ideas, or dreams. In such cases, it implies a deep commitment or attachment. ⚫︎ The polite form, 抱きます (*dakimasu*), is suitable for most formal and informal conversations. The dictionary form, 抱く (*daku*), is used in more casual contexts. ⚫︎ The potential form of 抱く is 抱ける(*dakeru*), meaning "can be held" or "can be embraced."

⚫︎ The word is typically written as 抱きます (*dakimasu*) in hiragana and kanji. ⚫︎ The kanji is 抱, meaning "to embrace" or "to hold." The hiragana ます (*masu*) is the polite verb ending. ⚫︎ The verb conjugates regularly: - Present affirmative: 抱きます (*dakimasu*) - Present negative: 抱きません (*dakimasen*) - Past affirmative: 抱きました (*dakimashita*) - Past negative: 抱きませんでした (*dakimasen deshita*)

⚫︎ 抱きしめる (*dakishimeru*) - To hug tightly, to embrace closely. ⚫︎ 抱擁する (*hōyō suru*) - To embrace (more formal). ⚫︎ 持つ (*motsu*) - To have, to hold (can be used figuratively in similar contexts, such as "to have a dream").

⚫︎ There aren't direct antonyms because the act of not embracing someone depends on the situation. However, words expressing distance or separation could be considered. ⚫︎ 離れる (*hanareru*) - To separate, to move away.

子供を優しく抱きます ・Translation: I gently hold the child. ・Explanation: This sentence describes the action of embracing a child with care.

将来の夢を抱いて生きています ・Translation: I live, holding onto my future dream. ・Explanation: This example shows the figurative use of 抱く, expressing the idea of cherishing and pursuing a dream. The form 抱いて (*daite*) is the te-form.

The etymology of 抱く (だく, *daku*) is believed to stem from the ancient act of physically holding something close to oneself. The kanji 抱 depicts the action of embracing with one's arms, highlighting its core meaning of holding or encompassing.