Cuddling in other languages

respectfulrespectful
edited April 2018 in General

If you speak a language other than English, how do you say "platonic cuddle" in it?

Any other interesting words/phrases related to cuddling in that language?

I guess English has: cuddle, snuggle, nestle; cradle; hold, hug, embrace, entwine; curl up; nuzzle, Eskimo kiss; touch, caress, stroke; bear hug, squeeze.

Comments

  • UKGuyUKGuy
    edited April 2018

    @respectful - you missed canoodle, a lovely word that isn't used enough.

  • respectfulrespectful

    @UKGuy Yes, I do miss canoodle occasionally. :)

    Seems to be of unknown origin, but possibly related to the German knuddeln: to cuddle; original sense "to embrace tightly"; related to "knot".

  • respectfulrespectful
    edited April 2018

    Some other German terms related to cuddling ... (edited)

    Kuscheln: cuddling
    hätscheln: caressing, or to spoil someone.
    kosen: like caressing
    kuscheln: cuddling / snuggling
    zusammenkuscheln: to snuggle / huddle together
    schmiegen: nuzzle / nestle; like what a cat does if it likes you.
    schmusen: when used with people it typically means "making out". When used with animals it means cuddling.

  • respectfulrespectful
    edited April 2018

    A Welsh word is cwtsh (rhymes with "butch"):

    To give someone a safe place, to entangle them in your love, safe from worldly affairs. Usually associated romantically with cuddling, or a close endearing hug.

  • UKGuyUKGuy
    edited April 2018

    A cuddle in French is "un câlin", or to cuddle would be "câliner".

  • respectfulrespectful

    @UKGuy Are there any other cuddle related French words / terms?

  • UKGuyUKGuy
    edited April 2018

    la caresse - caress, cuddle
    la étreinte - embrace, hug
    la câlinerie - caress, hug, fondle
    blotir - huddle together (for warmth)
    être en cuillère - spooning

    there are some differences between French and Canadian French

  • respectfulrespectful
    edited April 2018

    Portuguese:

    "abraçar": hug, cuddle.

    "chamego": "wraps up the senses of intimacy, infatuation, and cuddling, all in one term."

    "cafuné": to run fingers through hair, belly rub, or pat an animal.

    "conchinha": spooning.

  • respectfulrespectful

    Cabuano (spoken in part of the Philippines):

    "pangga": cuddle.

    "sip-ig" or "suksok": snuggle.

    "tanday": leg hug, usually of a pillow but can be a person. "Like when someone is sitting at the edge of the bed and you come behind and wrap them with your legs or when someone is sleeping beside you and you rest a leg on him/her."

  • respectfulrespectful
    edited April 2018

    Swedish:

    "gosa": cuddle, snuggle.

    "krama" and "omfamna": hug, embrace, squeeze.

    "kela": canoodle, snuggle, pet.

    "kramgo": huggable, cuddly.

    "krypa tätt tillsammans": cuddle; literally "crawl tight together" (?)

    "mysa": cosy up or snuggle, but in a wider sense to have a nice and relaxed time. The idea involves hanging out, being comfortable, content, enjoying the moment and recharging.

  • UKGuyUKGuy

    There is actually a universal body language that obviates the need for verbal language. Below are photos that illustrate (a) someone wanting a hug, (b) someone not wanting a hug, and (c) someone badly in need of a hug:


  • SparenSparen
    edited April 2018

    @ respectful Spanish - a hug - un abrazo, to hug - abrazar

  • sergi4011sergi4011

    In Spanish I know there is "acurrucar" to snuggle up or curl up. As in "curl up by the fireplace."
    I've spoken English since I was a child and I never learned "canoodle" until today :#

  • respectfulrespectful

    Dutch:

    "knuffelen": cuddle, hug (a "knuffelbeer" is a teddy bear).

    "omhelzing": hug, embrace.

    "liefkozen": cuddle, canoodle, caress.

    "hygge": the cuddly mood of someone who needs warm, physical contact to de-stress or calm down; the wish for a shoulder to cry on and feeling of belonging.

  • UKGuyUKGuy
    edited April 2018

    There's some interesting information here, from the book 'The Lover's Tongue: A Merry Romp Through the Language of Love and Sex':
    https://books.google.com/books?id=tnwAlLgWEhAC&pg=PA170&lpg=PA170&dq=cuddle+in+latin&source=bl&ots=kNIulP7CGv&sig=hxhiz6KwWUGpqbs9NxR1YH9c24w&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwic0Lu83bLaAhVK9IMKHWg6BuQQ6AEIWjAI#v=onepage&q=cuddle in latin&f=false

  • [Deleted User]MoonlightSonata (deleted user)

    Cuddlwagging is one of my favorite terms, personally. I like to say that I am a professional cuddlewagger.

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