abrazar
“abrazar” means “to hug” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to hug
Also: to embrace
📝 In Action
Quiero abrazar a mi hermano.
A1I want to hug my brother.
Se abrazaron después de mucho tiempo.
A2They hugged each other after a long time.
Ella me abrazó con mucha fuerza.
B1She hugged me very tightly.
to embrace, to adopt
📝 In Action
Él decidió abrazar la vida religiosa.
B2He decided to embrace the religious life.
La empresa debe abrazar el cambio tecnológico.
B2The company must embrace technological change.
Abrazó la causa de los derechos humanos.
C1She embraced the cause of human rights.
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: abrazar
Question 1 of 3
How do you say 'I hugged' in Spanish?
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👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'ad-' (toward) and 'bracchium' (arm). Literally meaning to bring someone into your arms.
First recorded: 12th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'dar un abrazo' and 'abrazar'?
There is almost no difference in meaning. 'Abrazar' is the verb 'to hug,' while 'dar un abrazo' is 'to give a hug.' Both are very common.
Is 'abrazar' irregular?
It is mostly regular, but it has a small spelling change. In forms where an 'e' follows the root (like the 'yo' past tense or the command forms), the 'z' becomes a 'c'.
How do I say 'a big hug' at the end of an email?
You wouldn't use the verb 'abrazar' there. Instead, you use the noun: 'Un fuerte abrazo'.