Spanish Conversation · Level 4
87 words
Spanish word
suspirar
Pronunciation
IPA/suspiˈɾaɾ/
Meaning
- verbsigh
Example
¿Por qué suspiras tan seguido?
Why do you sigh so often?
More examples
Al leer la carta antigua, no pude evitar suspirar por los recuerdos.
When reading the old letter, I couldn't help sighing over the memories.
Core concept
Brief audible exhale signaling fatigue or relief.
Common phrases
suspirar hondo
sigh deeply
suspirar por alguien
long for someone
suspirar de cansancio
sigh from fatigue
Similar words
exhalar: Expels air outward through the nose or mouth as a normal breathing-out action.
resoplar: Forcibly exhales a sharp, audible breath to show irritation, annoyance, or weariness.
bostezar: Inhales deeply with an open mouth and emits a yawn driven by sleepiness.
jadear: Breathes rapidly and shallowly in repeated gasps from exertion or breathlessness.
Definition in Spanish
Producir una exhalación audible y breve que manifiesta estados como nostalgia, alivio o fatiga; en la construcción suspirar por + objeto indica añoranza o deseo.
Word origin
From Latin suspirare (sus- + spirare 'to breathe'), originally denoting an outward breath that communicates emotion.
Usage tips
- In formal or professional settings an audible sigh often reads as impatience or disapproval, so speakers or writers may report the feeling (e.g., suspiró aliviado) rather than highlight the sound.
Other meanings
- long forverb
Opposites
- regocijarserejoiceverb
- satisfacersebe satisfiedverb
Related words
- suspirosighnoun
- suspiraciónsighingnoun