Spanish Conversation · Level 38
74 words
Spanish word
asfixiar
Pronunciation
IPA/asfikˈsjaɾ/
Meaning
- verbchoke
Example
Empezó a asfixiarse por la falta de ventilación.
He began to choke from lack of ventilation.
More examples
El humo denso puede asfixiar a las personas en pocos minutos.
Thick smoke can choke people in a few minutes.
Core concept
A blocked airway or airless space causing breathlessness.
Common phrases
asfixiar a alguien
choke someone
asfixiarse con comida
choke on food
Similar words
ahogar: Cause breathing to stop because of drowning, inhaled water, or heavy smoke.
sofocar: Produce breathlessness from hot, stale, or confined air that makes breathing difficult.
atragantarse: Have the throat blocked by swallowed food so breathing becomes impossible.
estrangular: Cause breathing to stop by forcefully squeezing or compressing the neck.
Definition in Spanish
Producir la falta de oxígeno que impide respirar; usar asfixiarse para expresar que alguien sufre esa privación y asfixiar + a para quien la provoca.
Word origin
Derived from Greek ἀσφυξία 'no pulse', carried into Latin asphyxia and Spanish asfixia and then turned into a verb with -ar.
Usage tips
- Asfixiar emphasizes lack of air or physical compression, whereas ahogar often implies drowning or throat obstruction and sofocar commonly refers to heat or emotional suffocation.