French Conversation · Level 28
89 words
French word
respirer
Pronunciation
IPA/ʁɛspiʁe/
Meaning
- verbbreathe
Example
Après la course, il faut respirer lentement.
After the race, you need to breathe slowly.
More examples
En cas de stress, essayez de respirer profondément.
In case of stress, try to breathe deeply.
Core concept
A steady cycle of air entering and leaving the lungs.
Common phrases
respirer profondément
breathe deeply
respirer par le nez
breathe through the nose
respirer l'air pur
breathe fresh air
Similar words
inspirer: To inhale air into the lungs.
expirer: To exhale air from the lungs.
Definition in French
Inspirer puis expirer l'air par les poumons afin de maintenir la fonction respiratoire.
Word origin
French respirer comes from Latin respirare, formed with re- and spirare, meaning to breathe.
Usage tips
- Respirer is intransitive for breathing but can take a direct object when it means smelling or drawing in something, as in respirer un parfum.
Opposites
- suffoquersuffocateverb
- s'étoufferchokeverb
Related words
- respirationbreathingnoun
- respiratoirerespiratoryadjective
- respirateurrespiratornoun