HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to embrace
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to wrap around
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to gather around (sb)
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to throng
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to swarm
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to support
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
Taiwan pr. [yǒng]
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
to have, to hold; to embrace, to hug; to flock, to throng
HSK 4, v, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
拥
yōng
Taiwan pr. [yong3]
HSK 4, unknown, 8 strokes, radical 扌, rank #9713, Medium
yōng(yong1)yong T1
1to hold
2to embrace
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
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#9713DifficultyMedium
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
By ear
Play it, then pick what 拥 means.
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
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
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.
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.
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
Premium — Locked
AI tone practice
Pro
Drill the tone of 拥 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Jason looks at what you watch and listen to, the checkpoints you have cleared, our lessons and what you have been exploring, and explains 拥 through them.
Sign in free to make it personal. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
How Well Do You Know 拥?
Example
Learning Lab
Knowing 拥 is seven skills, not one.
Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
拥 = 扌 + 用. What kind of character does that make it?
Decomposition of 拥
IDS Structure⿰扌用
拥Full Character
=
扌shou3
left
用yong4
right
Exercise 1 of 2
Parts
Which of these is part of 拥?
How to say to hold in Chinese
“to hold” in Chinese is拥yōng
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.
When to use 拥
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.'
拥 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.'
Write 拥
拥
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 拥 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Write correctly 3 times to earn XP
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.
Ask Jason
Have a question about 拥?
Jason answers about this word at your level: example sentences, how it differs from similar words, and a way to remember it.
Sign in free to ask. New accounts start with 300 AI credits.
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
Words with 拥
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.
Jason Recommends
Not sure what to learn after 拥?
Jason picks three words from your level and explains why each one is worth your time next. It takes a free account so he knows what you already know.
A sample week, replayed. Every page you study lands here in the order you did it — your own replay starts with a free account.
