embrace

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 抱 has 8 strokes and the on-reading ほう. 抱く (だく) and 抱える (かかえる) are used for holding something in one's arms or shouldering something.
• Basic usage: 抱く describes embracing someone or holding them close; 抱える describes holding an object or shouldering problems.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Holding something and shouldering problems
  • 赤ん坊をそっと腕に抱く means to gently hold a baby in one's arms. 大きな箱を胸に抱えて means holding a large box against one's chest.
  • 多くの問題を一人で抱えていた means was shouldering many problems alone. The object of 抱えていた here is a set of problems to resolve rather than a physical object held in the arms.