Imagine that there’s a word so uniquely comforting that it feels like a warm hug for your soul. An instant comfort around your inner being that you never knew you wanted, but that you always needed. In Spanish, there’s a word for that. It’s “apapachar.”
Many say that “apapachar” is one of the most beautiful words in Spanish. The only words that come close to it in English are “snuggle” or “hug.”
But, as any Spanish speaker who grew up with it will tell you, no other words come close to describing the feelings evoked from “apapachar.”
But did you know that this Spanish word did not originate in Spain?
So, where did this magical word come from?
And is there really no other word like it in the English language?
What Does Apapachar Even Mean?
The word “apapachar” is often described as “to lovingly embrace” or “to comfort,” but any Spanish speaker will tell you that translation doesn’t quite do it justice. It’s not just about physical affection; it’s a deep, nurturing kind of care that’s as emotional as it is physical. Think of it as a hug, but with your whole soul participating.
“In Mexican culture, apapacho is woven into the fabric of daily life,” Medium explains. “It’s the comforting hug of a grandmother, the gentle stroke of a mother’s hand on a child’s cheek, or the tight embrace between close friends.”
As ChevyBabe2 so aptly comments online, “I love that we have these words that mean so much they are difficult to translate!” Yes, ChevyBabe2, we agree — it’s like trying to describe the taste of chocolate to someone who’s never tasted its goodness.
Where Did Apapachar Come From?
While “apapachar” is a Spanish word, it didn’t originate in Spain. “Its origin comes from Náhuatl, a native language of Central America that is over a thousand years old,” Medium writes. “And seemingly there is no exact translation in English for that.”
In Nahuatl, papachoa means “to softly caress” or “to gently touch.”
If you’re wondering why English doesn’t have an equivalent for “apapachar,” welcome to the club. English is a fantastic language for inventing words like “selfie” and “hangry,” but when it comes to hugging our souls, the world’s most popular language is still lagging behind. Sure, English has “comfort” and “nurture,” but let’s be honest: neither of those quite captures the magic of “apapachar.”
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“In Mexico, we do not hug. No, nosotros apapachamos,” the bilingual education site TruFluency explains. “Un abrazo, that’s like a regular hug. Un apapacho, or apapachar, is a whole different level, because that means hugging the soul.”
Bilingual educator Dr. Jose Medina agrees. “To Hug. It doesn’t sound the same in English.” He adds: “El Español es tan hermoso, verdad?”
Medina talks about how much he loves the word and how it evokes memories of his mother’s hugs and the unconditional love that comes with them. He says English words just can’t seem to match that level of emotional layering.
Should We Start Using It in English?
Absolutely. In fact, I propose we make apapachar the next trendy word to cross linguistic boundaries. English has already adopted “salsa” and “adios,” so why not add “apapachar” to the mix?
Picture it: You’ve had a rough day at work, and instead of saying, “I need a hug,” you declare, “I need to be apapachared.” It’s so much better, right?
