擁 — “Hug / Embrace / Possess / Protect” in Japanese

Master (高手)よう

Radical ⼿ · radical 64 The building block this kanji is filed under

“Hug / Embrace / Possess / Protect” in Japanese is 擁, read you (よう). It is a Jōyō kanji taught in Japanese secondary school (junior & senior high) — the 高手 · Master tier beyond the grade 1–6 Kyōiku set, and appears in words such as 擁護 (protection).

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What does 擁 mean?

Full details, readings & example

Kanji	擁
Meaning	Hug / Embrace / Possess / Protect
Readings	よう
Grade	Master (高手 · secondary school)
Curriculum	Jōyō kanji · Japanese secondary school (JLPT N1–N2)
Example	擁護 (protection)

How to read 擁

擁 is read you (よう) depending on the word.

Words with 擁

抱擁
擁護

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Kanji read the same way as 擁

Same sound, different character — the classic trap. Compare them side by side:

Updated: 2026-08-28