The Meaning of dakko [抱っこ] In Japanese

抱っこ
だっこ
Romaji: dakko N5

What does 抱っこ mean?

Translation and Meaning

to hold a child in one’s arms, to pick up and cuddle

Definition

What does 抱っこ mean? It refers to the act of lifting a child into the arms and carrying them, typically to comfort or transport them; it functions as a noun and as the verb 抱っこする used to perform the action.

Type

Noun (名詞); also the basis for the verb 抱っこする

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • the primary sense: holding a child in one’s arms for comfort or transport — dakko
  • an affectionate or playful holding of a baby or small pet, usually in casual speech — dakko
  • a caregiver gesture widely used in family life; more common in spoken language than in formal writing — dakko

Etymology

Etymology From the verb 抱く with the stem 抱っ- and the affectionate suffix こ, forming a noun that denotes the act of holding someone in the arms; the small っ signals a rapid consonant onset in the pronunciation.

Composition

  • 抱 = to embrace, hold close
  • っ = small tsu, indicates gemination of the following consonant
  • こ = suffix that helps form a noun indicating the act or gesture

Usage

Used in casual to intimate contexts, especially within family, childcare, and everyday conversations; the standard verb form is 抱っこする to perform the action, and 抱っこ itself can function as the noun for the act; it is less common in formal or technical writing.
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: imagine two arms forming a protective circle around a baby, with the little tsu acting like a quick squeeze; link the sound dakko to a brisk, affectionate lift to remember the action.

Variations

  • だっこ dakko — the common form identifying the act itself
  • おんぶ onbu — carrying a child on the back, a related caregiving method
  • 抱える kakaeru — to hold or bear something in one’s arms, related but not identical in gesture

Example Phrases

  • 公園で赤ちゃんを抱っこして写真を撮る。
    Kōen de akachan o dakko shite shashin o toru.
    I hold the baby at the park and take a photo.
    Lista:
    • 公園で (Kōen de) – at the park
    • 赤ちゃんを (akachan o) – baby (object)
    • 抱っこして (dakko shite) – holding/carrying (te-form)
    • 写真を (shashin o) – photo (object)
    • 撮る (toru) – take
    This sentence uses the te-form to connect two actions: 「抱っこして」 links holding the baby to taking a photo. Here, 「抱っこ」 means ‘holding/carrying a baby’.
抱っこ