Spanish word

respiro

Pronunciation

IPA/resˈpiɾo/

Meaning

  • masculine nounbreath

Example

Toma un respiro profundo antes de hablar.

Take a deep breath before you speak.

Illustration for respiro (breath)

More examples

Necesito un respiro antes de volver a empezar.

I need a breather before starting again.

Core concept

A single quick intake of air that refreshes the body.

Common phrases

  • tomar un respiro

    take a breather

  • un respiro profundo

    a deep breath

  • dar un respiro

    give a breather

Similar words

respiración: Continuous process of inhaling and exhaling to sustain life.
aliento: One breath felt or expelled through the mouth or nose.
suspiro: Short audible sigh produced by emotion or fatigue.
pausa: Short break inserted into speech or action.

Definition in Spanish

Pausa breve para recuperar el aliento o la calma; también la bocanada de aire que se toma.

Word origin

Derived from Latin respirare 'to breathe again', passing through Spanish respirar, with respiro forming as the noun for one breath and later a short respite.

Usage tips

  • The form respiro can also be the verb 'I breathe' (yo respiro), so grammatical context is needed to tell noun and verb uses apart.

Other meanings

  • restnoun

Opposites

  • ahogoshortness of breathnoun
  • asfixiaasphyxianoun

Related words

Word lists with this word