Japanese Conversation · Level 32
90 words
Japanese word
吸う
Pronunciation
Romajisū
Meaning
- verbbreathe in
Example
息を吸います。iki o su i ma su
I breathe in.
More examples
緊張したときは、鼻からゆっくり吸います。kin chō shi ta to ki wa hana ka ra yu kku ri su i ma su
When I am nervous, I breathe in slowly through my nose.
Core concept
Draws air or smoke inward through the mouth or nose and into the body.
Common phrases
息を吸うiki o sū
breathe in
深く吸うfuka ku sū
breathe in deeply
Similar words
吸い込むsuikomu: To pull air deeply into the lungs through the nose or mouth.
Definition in Japanese
空気や煙などを口や鼻から体内に取り入れる。kū ki ya kemuri na do o kuchi ya hana ka ra tai nai ni to ri i re ru
Word origin
吸う (sū, "to inhale") belongs to the native Japanese vocabulary, while the kanji 吸 (kyū, "suck in") supplies its written meaning; the verb is not built from two word elements.
Usage tips
- The verb 吸う (sū) can describe a machine drawing something inward, such as a vacuum cleaner collecting dust, as well as a person inhaling.