French · Everyday Verbs
"to hug" in French: serrer dans ses bras
serrer dans ses bras
Note: also: faire un câlin
To hug in French is serrer dans ses bras. Elle me serre dans ses bras means she hugs me. Faire un câlin is friendlier slang, but it is not this headword.
Airport reunion
Elle me serre dans ses bras sans un mot.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce serrer dans ses bras
Say it
seh-RAY dahn say BRAH
/se.ʁe dɑ̃ se bʁa/
Serrer: seh-RAY. Dans ses bras: dahn say BRAH. Serre sounds like sair.
"to hug" in French: quick reference
| French | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| serrer dans ses bras | to hug / hold in one's arms Full headword phrase. | Full headword phrase. |
| serrer quelqu'un dans ses bras | to hug someone With a person. | With a person. |
| serré dans ses bras | held/hugged in someone's arms Past participle form. | Past participle form. |
| faire un câlin | to give a cuddle/hug Related, not the headword. | Related, not the headword. |
How to use serrer dans ses bras in real life
- 1Airport reunion
Elle me serre dans ses bras sans un mot.
She hugs me without a word.
Full phrase.
- 2Comforting a friend
Viens, je te serre dans mes bras une seconde.
Come here—I'll hug you for a second.
Mes bras with je.
- 3Looking at a photo
Sur la photo, papa te serre dans ses bras.
In the photo, dad is hugging you.
Third person.
Mistakes English speakers make with serrer dans ses bras
Incorrect: Je te fais un câlin — pour dire serrer dans ses bras.
Correct: Je te serre dans mes bras.
Use a form of serrer … bras for this headword.
Incorrect: La serrure me manque.
Correct: Je le serre dans mes bras.
Serrure is a lock; hug uses serrer dans ses/mes bras.
Good to know
French greetings may stay at la bise; a full hug (serrer dans ses bras) often marks reunion or comfort among close friends and family. In writing, serrer dans ses bras stays literal and warm.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Reunion after a long trip
ChatPal
Viens là — je te serre dans mes bras.
Come here—I'm hugging you.
You
Moi aussi, je te serre dans mes bras. Ça fait du bien.
Me too—I'm hugging you. That feels good.
ChatPal
Ne bouge pas. Encore une seconde dans mes bras.
Don't move. One more second in my arms.
You
Ok… maintenant raconte ton voyage.
Okay… now tell me about your trip.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to hug" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to hug" in French
How do you say to hug in French?
Serrer dans ses bras.
How do you say she hugs me?
Elle me serre dans ses bras.
Does faire un câlin count?
Related meaning, but not this headword.
How do you pronounce serrer dans ses bras?
seh-RAY dahn say BRAH.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
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