Inklingo

How to Say "embrace" in Spanish

English → Spanish

abrazo

ah-BRAH-soh/aˈβɾaθo/

nounA1formal or literary
Use 'abrazo' when referring to a physical act of hugging someone, often conveying affection or greeting.
Two stylized figures standing and embracing each other warmly, illustrating a hug.

Examples

¡Qué alegría verte! Dame un fuerte abrazo.

What a joy to see you! Give me a strong hug.

Terminó la carta con un 'Te envío un abrazo grande'.

She finished the letter with 'I'm sending you a big hug.'

El abrazo de bienvenida fue largo y sincero.

The welcoming embrace was long and sincere.

Gender Rule

Since 'abrazo' ends in -o, it is a masculine word. Always use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

Mixing up the verb and the noun

Mistake: “Using 'yo abrazo' (I hug) when you mean 'quiero un abrazo' (I want a hug).”

Correction: Remember 'abrazo' is the thing (the hug), and 'abrazar' is the action (to hug).

brazos

BRAH-sohs/ˈbɾasos/

nounB1general
Use 'en los brazos de' to describe finding comfort, security, or being held within someone's arms, metaphorically or literally.
A high quality simple colorful storybook illustration showing two stylized figures wrapping their arms around each other in a comforting embrace.

Examples

Encontró consuelo en los brazos de su abuela.

She found comfort in her grandmother's embrace (or arms).

La joven cayó en los brazos de la delincuencia.

The young woman fell into the grasp (or power) of crime.

comprender

/kom-pren-DER//kom.pɾenˈdeɾ/

verbB2general
Use 'comprender' when 'embrace' means to include, cover, or encompass a wide range of things, ideas, or areas.
A large, open, friendly red square box containing an assortment of smaller, colorful shapes: a blue star, a yellow circle, and a green triangle, demonstrating inclusion.

Examples

El territorio del parque nacional comprende varios ecosistemas.

The national park's territory includes several ecosystems.

La propuesta comprende todos los puntos que discutimos.

The proposal comprises all the points we discussed.

Formal Context

In this meaning, 'comprender' is often found in official reports, geographical descriptions, or formal definitions, similar to how 'comprise' is used in English.

Physical Hug vs. Broader Meaning

The most common mistake is using 'abrazo' or 'brazos' for the abstract sense of 'to embrace' an idea or concept. For that, you need verbs like 'adoptar', 'aceptar', or 'abarcar' depending on context, not the noun for a hug.

Related Translations

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