Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
HUG in Spanish: ABRAZO
Abrazo · noun · ah-BRAH-soh
Abrazo is both a common noun and a cornerstone of Spanish-speaking social culture. From the standard email closing un abrazo to the warm physical greeting shared between friends, this word appears daily in both written and spoken Spanish. The verb form abrazar means to hug, and you will hear it in contexts ranging from comforting a child to greeting a long-lost friend.
ah-BRAH-soh
Me dio un abrazo muy fuerte al despedirse.
She gave me a very tight hug when saying goodbye.
hug in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for hug, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| abrazo | hug | ah-BRAH-soh | Default, widely understood |
| abrazar | hug | verb: to hug | |
| achuchón | hug | Spain, affectionate squeeze |
How Native Speakers Use Abrazo
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Greeting
¡Ven aquí, dame un abrazo!
Come here, give me a hug!
Warm greeting between friends or family members.
Written Sign-Off
Espero verte pronto. Un abrazo.
I hope to see you soon. A hug.
Un abrazo is a standard warm closing in emails and messages.
Comfort
Lo abracé porque estaba llorando.
I hugged him because he was crying.
The verb abrazar used to describe comforting someone.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Abrazo
Spelling Confusion
Incorrect: Ella me dio un abraso.
Correct: Ella me dio un abrazo.
Abrazo is spelled with z, not s. This is important because abraso is not a standard word and would be marked as a spelling error.
Verb Conjugation
Incorrect: Yo abraso a mi mamá.
Correct: Yo abrazo a mi mamá.
The first-person present tense of abrazar is abrazo (with z). The z changes to c only before e: abracé (I hugged, preterite).
Lock in hug Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Abrazo used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using abrazo in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Me dio un abrazo muy fuerte al despedirse. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About hug in Spanish
- Is it normal to hug people when greeting in Spanish-speaking countries?
- Physical greetings are much more common in Spanish-speaking cultures than in English-speaking ones. Among friends, family, and even new acquaintances at social gatherings, a hug (or a kiss on the cheek) is the standard greeting rather than a handshake.
- What does un abrazo mean at the end of a message?
- Signing off with Un abrazo is equivalent to saying Warm regards or With a hug. It conveys friendliness and warmth without being overly intimate. Un fuerte abrazo (a strong hug) is even warmer.
- How do I say bear hug in Spanish?
- A bear hug is often described as un abrazo de oso (literally a bear's hug). You can also say un abrazo apretado (a tight hug) or un achuchón in Spain for an especially enthusiastic squeeze.