Japanese Conversation · Level 80
76 words
Japanese word
呼吸
Pronunciation
Romajikokyū
Meaning
- nounbreathing
Example
鼻で呼吸します。hana de ko kyū shi ma su
I breathe through my nose.
More examples
緊張すると、呼吸が浅くなります。kin chō su ru to ko kyū ga asa ku na ri ma su
When I get nervous, my breathing becomes shallow.
Core concept
Describes the ongoing exchange of air in which the body takes air in and releases it to stay alive.
Common phrases
呼吸をするko kyū o su ru
breathe
呼吸が苦しいko kyū ga kuru shi i
have difficulty breathing
呼吸を合わせるko kyū o a wa se ru
synchronize one's breathing
呼吸を整えるko kyū o totono e ru
regulate one's breathing
Similar words
息iki: A quantity of air taken into and released from the lungs.
息遣いikizukai: The way a person breathes, including its pace and sound.
Definition in Japanese
空気を吸い、吐き出して生命を保つ働き。kū ki o su i ha ki da shi te sei mei o tamo tsu hatara ki
Word origin
呼吸 (kokyū) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 呼 (ko, "breathe out") and 吸 (kyū, "breathe in"), naming the paired movement of air.
Usage tips
- 呼吸が合う (kokyū ga au) is a common expression for people whose timing and actions fit together well.
Related words
- 呼吸するkokyūsurubreatheverb