How can I describe cuddling in Chinese? How can I describe cuddling in Chinese? To cuddle is like hugging while you are not standing up. For example, if I am sitting on a couch with a friend watching a movie, we can sit with our legs and torsos touching. Or if I am laying in bed with my girlfriend hugging her then we are cuddling, because there it lots of body contact without kissing, making out, or sex. A grandchild can sit on a parent's or a grandparent's lap and cuddle. If I am cold I can cuddle with my blanket, or if I am lonely I can cuddle with a teddy bear. Cuddle definitely has a meaning of affection, but there is not necessarily any meaning of sexual desire.