What does 抱 mean in Chinese?

抱 (bào) means "to hold; to carry (in one's arms); to hug; to embrace; to surround; to cherish" in Chinese. The new HSK exam tests it at HSK 4.

How do you pronounce 抱?

抱 is pronounced "bào" in Mandarin Chinese. The tone number is 4.

What HSK level is 抱?

抱 is an HSK 4 word on the new HSK exam syllabus. It is HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam.

What words contain the character 抱?

Common words with 抱 include 抱怨 (to complain), 合抱 (to wrap one's arm around (used to describe the girth of a tree trunk)), 怀抱 (to hug), 抱定 (to hold on firmly), 抱屈 (feel wronged).

How do you write 抱?

You can practice writing 抱 using our stroke order tool.

抱 (bào), to hold

抱

bào

to hold; to carry (in one's arms); to hug; to embrace

HSK 4verb

Character Breakdown

Radical: 手 (no. 64)

View stroke order →

Definitions

(verb) to hold
to carry (in one's arms)
to hug
to embrace
to surround
to cherish

Example Sentences

妈妈抱着孩子。

Māma bàozhe háizi

The mother is holding the child

Words Containing 抱

Word	Pinyin	Meaning	HSK
抱怨	bào yuàn	to complain	HSK 5
合抱	hé bào	to wrap one's arm around (used to describe the girth of a tree trunk)
怀抱	huái bào	to hug	HSK 7-9
抱定	bào dìng	to hold on firmly
抱屈

Related Words

搂(lōu)· to draw towards oneself

→

搂住(lǒu zhù)· to hold in one's arms

→

HSK levels

New HSK exam: HSK 4
HSK 2.0: HSK 4
HSK Lord study list: HSK 4 list

抱: HSK 4 on both the old and the new exam. See where your old level lands

New exam levels follow the CLEC syllabus released 15 November 2025. The first official sitting is announced for 13 December 2026. HSK 7-9 is one advanced band.

On the new HSK 4 exam

Studying for HSK 4? Keep 抱 with the rest of your level.

HSK Lord schedules your reviews so each character comes back right before you would forget it. Free to start, and it picks up where you are.

Start studying free The words new HSK 4 adds

Frequently Asked Questions

Reviewed by RJ Murray, Founder, HSK Lord.