umarmen
to hug
To take someone in your arms as a sign of affection, as a greeting, or to comfort them.
EXAMPLE
Nach der langen Reise umarmte sie ihre Familie überglücklich.
After the long journey, she hugged her family overjoyed.
umarmen
to embrace / hug
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Meanings
umarmen
to embrace
Figuratively, to adopt or accept an idea, a change, or a new technology.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma hat die Digitalisierung voll und ganz umarmt, um wettbewerbsfähig zu bleiben.
The company has fully embraced digitalization in order to remain competitive.
umarmen
to surround
To physically enclose or surround something. This meaning is rather elevated or literary.
EXAMPLE
Eine alte Steinmauer umarmt den gesamten Schlossgarten.
An old stone wall surrounds the entire palace garden.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Umarmen' (to embrace/hug) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'um-' here means 'around' and always remains attached to the verb. The past participle is 'umarmt', not 'umgearmt'.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seine Mutter zum Abschied fest umarmt.
He hugged his mother tightly to say goodbye.
Use with the accusative
The verb 'umarmen' (to embrace/hug) is always transitive and requires a direct object in the accusative. You always hug or embrace 'jemanden' (someone) or 'etwas' (something).
EXAMPLE
Zur Begrüßung umarmte sie jeden Gast.
She hugged every guest as a greeting.
Context clue: Figurative meaning
The figurative meaning is often used in the context of changes, new ideas, or concepts. You can recognize it because the object is not a living being, but something abstract such as 'die Zukunft' (the future), 'eine Chance' (an opportunity), or 'die Vielfalt' (diversity).
EXAMPLE
Viele Künstler umarmen die Möglichkeiten der künstlichen Intelligenz.
Many artists embrace the possibilities of artificial intelligence.
Elevated style
In the meaning of 'umgeben' (to surround) or 'umschließen' (to enclose), 'umarmen' (to embrace/surround) is mainly used in literature or poetic language. In normal everyday language, you would be more likely to use 'umgeben' (to surround).
EXAMPLE
Dichter Nebel umarmte die alten Bäume im Wald.
Thick fog surrounded the old trees in the forest.
Compare with
umarmen vs annehmen
to accept / assume
„Annehmen“ and „umarmen“ can both refer to accepting a new idea or change. „Annehmen“ remains neutral, while „umarmen“ expresses a particularly open or positive attitude in a figurative sense. Use „annehmen“ for simple agreement and „umarmen“ when there is clear positive enthusiasm.
umarmen
Das Team umarmte die neue Arbeitsweise begeistert.
The team enthusiastically embraced the new way of working.
annehmen
Das Team nahm die neue Arbeitsweise an, obwohl sie zunächst ungewohnt war.
The team accepted the new way of working, even though it was unfamiliar at first.
In real life
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