Diese Seite in deiner Sprache
English فارسی العربية Español Français 日本語 한국어 Português 中文 हिन्दी
A1 verb #2,677 am häufigsten 13 Min. Lesezeit

sigh

When you learn English, the word sigh is very important to know. A sigh is a big breath. You take a big breath in. Then you let the big breath out. You can hear this breath. It makes a sound like 'ahhh' or 'huff'. People sigh every day. You sigh when you are very tired. For example, after a long day at school, you sit on your bed and you sigh. You sigh when you are sad. If your friend cannot play with you, you might sigh. You sigh when you are happy that something bad is finished. This is called relief. If you finish a very hard test, you sigh. The word sigh is an action word. This means it is a verb. I sigh, you sigh, he sighs, she sighs, we sigh, they sigh. It is a regular verb. In the past, you say sighed. Yesterday, I sighed. It is easy to use. You can also use sigh as a naming word. This is a noun. I heard a loud sigh. The sigh was very deep. When you read books, you will see this word many times. Characters in books sigh a lot. They sigh to show how they feel without talking. It is like talking with your breath. When you watch movies, listen to the actors. They will sigh. You can practice sighing. Take a deep breath now. Let it out slowly. Make a sound. That is a sigh. It is good to know this word because it helps you understand feelings. Feelings are hard to explain, but a sigh makes it easy. If someone sighs, you can ask them, 'Are you okay?' or 'Are you tired?' This makes you a good friend. So, remember the word sigh. It is a big breath out. It shows you are tired, sad, or happy something is over. Practice using it today. Say, 'I sigh because I am tired.' Say, 'She sighed because she was sad.' This will help you remember the word forever. Learning new words is fun. Sigh is a great word to learn. It is short but it means a lot. It is a very useful word in English. Keep practicing and you will use it perfectly. You will hear it everywhere you go.
Building on what you know, the word sigh is used frequently in daily English to express a range of common emotions without using words. At the A2 level, you should understand that a sigh is not just a breath; it is a communication tool. When you are waiting in a very long line at the supermarket, you might sigh to show that you are bored or annoyed. If you lose your keys and have to search your whole house, you will probably sigh in frustration. The grammar is simple but important. You often use prepositions with sigh. You can 'sigh with relief' when you find your keys. You can 'sigh in frustration' when the line does not move. You can also use adjectives to describe the noun form. A 'heavy sigh' means you are very sad or very tired. A 'deep sigh' means you are taking in a lot of air because you have a lot of feelings. In stories, writers use sigh to show, not tell, how a person feels. Instead of writing 'John was sad,' the writer will write 'John looked out the window and sighed.' This paints a better picture in your mind. You will also hear people use the phrase 'breathe a sigh of relief.' This is a very common idiom. It means you are happy because a bad thing did not happen. For example, 'I breathed a sigh of relief when I passed the driving test.' It is important not to confuse sigh with yawn. You yawn when you are sleepy and your mouth opens wide. You sigh when you are emotional and you blow air out. Practice listening for sighs when you talk to native speakers. You will notice that they sigh before they say something difficult, or after they finish a hard job. Using the word sigh correctly will make your English sound much more natural and expressive. It shows that you understand not just the words, but the feelings behind the words. Keep practicing these phrases, and soon you will be using 'sigh' just like a native speaker in your everyday conversations.
At the intermediate level, understanding the word sigh involves recognizing its nuanced role in social interactions and narrative structures. A sigh is a powerful non-verbal cue that can convey a multitude of complex emotional states, ranging from wistful nostalgia to passive-aggressive annoyance. In social contexts, a sigh can sometimes be considered impolite. For instance, if someone is explaining something to you and you sigh loudly, it communicates impatience or disrespect, suggesting that you find their explanation tedious. Conversely, a shared sigh between friends can indicate mutual understanding or shared exhaustion after a difficult experience. Grammatically, you should be comfortable using sigh as both a verb and a noun in various tenses. You might say, 'She has been sighing all morning, I wonder what is wrong.' As a noun, you will frequently encounter collocations such as 'let out a sigh,' 'heave a sigh,' or 'give a sigh.' The phrase 'heave a sigh of relief' is particularly common and should be part of your active vocabulary. In literature and media, sigh is frequently employed as a dialogue tag. Instead of the standard 'he said,' an author might write, '"I suppose we have no choice," he sighed.' This technique simultaneously delivers the dialogue and the character's emotional resignation. Furthermore, sigh can be used metaphorically to personify inanimate objects or nature, such as 'the wind sighed through the trees,' creating a melancholic or peaceful atmosphere. It is crucial to distinguish sigh from similar physiological responses like gasping (a sharp intake of breath due to shock) or groaning (a vocalized sound of pain or despair). A sigh is characterized by a prolonged, audible exhalation. By mastering these distinctions and collocations, you enhance your ability to describe human behavior accurately and interpret the subtle emotional undercurrents in both spoken English and written texts. Your vocabulary becomes richer, allowing you to express empathy and observation with greater precision.
At the B2 level, your comprehension of the word sigh should extend into its psychological implications and its versatile applications in descriptive language. A sigh is fundamentally a physiological reset mechanism for the respiratory system, but in human communication, it serves as a profound indicator of psychological burden or release. You will often encounter the word in contexts discussing stress management, emotional regulation, and interpersonal conflict. For example, a 'weary sigh' might indicate chronic fatigue or burnout, while an 'exasperated sigh' clearly signals mounting frustration with a recurring problem. You should be adept at using a wide array of adjectives to modify the noun form, such as a ragged sigh, a shuddering sigh, a wistful sigh, or a contented sigh. Each adjective dramatically alters the emotional landscape of the sentence. In terms of idiomatic usage, beyond 'breathe a sigh of relief,' you might encounter phrases like 'sighing over someone,' which implies a romantic longing or unrequited love. In advanced reading, you will notice how authors use sighs to pace their dialogue and reveal subtext. A character might say something positive, but their accompanying sigh betrays their true, perhaps pessimistic, feelings. This juxtaposition is a key element of sophisticated storytelling. Furthermore, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical use of sighing in poetry and prose, where the environment itself seems to express emotion, such as 'the old house sighed as it settled into the foundation.' It is also important to understand the cultural pragmatics of sighing; in some professional environments, an audible sigh can be perceived as highly unprofessional or passive-aggressive, signaling a lack of cooperation without explicitly stating it. Mastering the word sigh at this level means understanding not just its definition, but its power to convey complex, unspoken emotional truths, thereby elevating your fluency and your ability to engage with English on a deeper, more empathetic level.
At the C1 advanced level, the word sigh transcends its basic definition as an audible exhalation and becomes a critical tool for analyzing subtext, psychological state, and literary atmosphere. You are expected to recognize the sigh as a complex physiological and emotional phenomenon that authors and speakers use to convey profound existential weariness, subtle passive-aggression, or profound catharsis. In literary analysis, a sigh is rarely just a breath; it is a manifestation of a character's internal monologue bleeding into the physical world. You must be capable of interpreting the specific nuance of a sigh based on its context. Is it a sigh of resignation, indicating a character's capitulation to fate? Is it a wistful sigh, laden with nostalgia for an irrecoverable past? Or is it a performative sigh, deliberately executed to manipulate the emotions of others in the room? Your vocabulary should include sophisticated collocations and descriptive phrases, such as 'a tremulous sigh,' 'a collective sigh of apprehension,' or 'to sigh in capitulation.' You should also be familiar with the poetic and metaphorical extensions of the word, where inanimate entities are imbued with sorrow or age, as in 'the dying embers of the fire gave a final, hissing sigh.' Furthermore, understanding the sociolinguistic implications of sighing is paramount. In high-stakes negotiations or formal discourse, a poorly timed sigh can be a devastating breach of decorum, communicating contempt or dismissal more effectively than a verbal insult. Conversely, in therapeutic or intimate settings, a shared sigh can represent a profound moment of empathetic connection and emotional synchronicity. At this level of proficiency, your use of the word sigh should be deliberate and precise, utilizing it to add texture and psychological depth to your own writing and to accurately decode the complex emotional landscapes presented in advanced English texts and nuanced interpersonal communications.
At the C2 mastery level, your engagement with the word sigh involves a comprehensive understanding of its physiological, psychological, sociolinguistic, and literary dimensions. A sigh is a neurobiological imperative, a spontaneous deep breath that prevents the collapse of alveoli in the lungs, yet it has been entirely co-opted by human consciousness as a primary vehicle for emotional expression. You must be able to articulate the dichotomy between the sigh as a homeostatic reflex and the sigh as a profound communicative act. In advanced discourse, the sigh is recognized as a potent instrument of subtext. It is the articulation of the ineffable—the sound made when language fails to encompass the magnitude of grief, the depth of relief, or the weight of existential ennui. You should be adept at analyzing how authors employ the sigh to manipulate narrative pacing and establish atmospheric tension. A meticulously placed sigh in a narrative can serve as a volta, shifting the emotional trajectory of a scene without a single word of dialogue being spoken. Your lexical repertoire must encompass the most nuanced and evocative collocations, such as 'a susurrating sigh,' 'a sigh that seemed to originate from the very marrow of his bones,' or 'the heavy, pregnant sigh of a jury reaching a verdict.' Furthermore, you must navigate the complex cross-cultural pragmatics of the sigh. While the physiological act is universal, its interpretation is highly culturally dependent; what is perceived as a harmless expression of fatigue in one culture may be construed as a grave insult or a sign of insubordination in another. Mastery of the word sigh at the C2 level demands the ability to seamlessly integrate these multifaceted understandings into your own rhetoric, utilizing the concept of the sigh not merely to describe a physical action, but to evoke the profound, often unspoken complexities of the human condition with unparalleled precision and eloquence.
Jetzt üben Beispiele Notizen & Tipps

sigh in 30 Sekunden

  • A long, deep, audible breath out.
  • Shows emotions like sadness, tiredness, or relief.
  • Can be used as both a verb and a noun.
  • Often paired with words like 'heavy' or 'deep'.

The word sigh represents a fundamental human action that bridges the gap between our physiological need for oxygen and our complex emotional landscapes. When we consider what it truly means to sigh, we must first look at the physical mechanics involved in this universal behavior. A sigh is essentially a deep, prolonged inhalation followed by an equally profound and often audible exhalation. This process is not merely a random fluctuation in our breathing pattern; rather, it is a highly coordinated event managed by our autonomic nervous system to reset our respiratory rate and maintain optimal lung function. However, beyond the biological necessity, a sigh carries immense psychological weight. It is a non-verbal communicator of our internal state, broadcasting feelings that words sometimes fail to capture.

We sigh when we are overwhelmed by sadness, letting out a breath as if to release the heavy burden weighing on our hearts. We sigh in moments of sheer exhaustion, our bodies signaling that we have reached the limits of our physical or mental endurance. Conversely, we also sigh in moments of profound relief, exhaling the tension that had been building up during a stressful situation.
Physical Action
A deep inhalation followed by a long, audible exhalation.
Emotional Trigger
Feelings of sadness, relief, exhaustion, or frustration.

She let out a long, tired sigh after finishing the difficult exam.

Understanding the context of a sigh is crucial because the same physical action can mean entirely different things depending on the situation. A sigh from a mother looking at her sleeping child is one of contentment and love, whereas a sigh from a student staring at a complex math problem is one of frustration and confusion.

He breathed a heavy sigh of relief when he found his lost keys.

Contentment
A sigh showing peaceful happiness.
Frustration
A sigh showing annoyance or inability to solve a problem.
The versatility of the sigh makes it a powerful tool in literature and film, where writers and directors use it to convey subtext without relying on dialogue. A character's sigh can reveal their true feelings, contradicting what they might be saying out loud.

The old man gave a sad sigh as he looked at the old photographs.

In everyday conversation, we often use the word sigh to describe not just the action, but the feeling associated with it. We might say 'he sighed heavily' to emphasize the burden he is carrying.

With a frustrated sigh, she closed the laptop and walked away.

Audible
Able to be heard by others nearby.
Prolonged
Lasting longer than a normal breath.
Furthermore, the sigh is a universal human experience, transcending cultural and linguistic barriers. Whether you are in Tokyo, Paris, or New York, a sigh of exhaustion sounds the same and is understood instantly by those around you.

The entire classroom let out a collective sigh when the teacher announced the pop quiz.

This universality makes it a vital vocabulary word for language learners, as it connects directly to shared human emotions and experiences, allowing for deeper empathy and understanding in communication.

Learning how to use the word sigh correctly involves understanding its grammatical functions and the common collocations that accompany it in everyday English. The word sigh can function as both a verb and a noun, and mastering both forms will significantly enhance your ability to express emotions and describe situations accurately. As a verb, sigh is a regular verb, meaning it follows the standard conjugation rules: sigh, sighs, sighed, and sighing.

When using it as a verb, it is often followed by a prepositional phrase to indicate the reason for the sigh. For example, you might say 'she sighed in frustration' or 'he sighed with relief.'
Verb Usage
To perform the action of breathing out deeply.
Noun Usage
The sound or act of the deep breath itself.

She sighed deeply when she saw the long line at the grocery store.

As a noun, sigh is countable. You can have one sigh, two sighs, or many sighs. It is frequently paired with adjectives that describe the nature of the breath or the emotion behind it. Common adjectives include heavy, deep, long, weary, and contented.

He let out a heavy sigh before starting the difficult conversation.

Heavy Sigh
Indicates a great deal of stress, sadness, or exhaustion.
Contented Sigh
Indicates happiness, peace, and satisfaction.
You will often see the noun form used with verbs like 'let out,' 'heave,' 'breathe,' or 'give.' For instance, 'she gave a little sigh' or 'he heaved a sigh of relief.'

The dog gave a contented sigh and fell asleep by the warm fire.

In written English, particularly in storytelling, sigh is often used as a dialogue tag. Instead of saying 'he said,' a writer might use 'he sighed' to show that the character is speaking while exhaling deeply, which adds emotional weight to the spoken words.

"I guess we have to start all over again," she sighed.

Dialogue Tag
Using sigh to indicate how a character speaks a line of dialogue.
Prepositional Phrase
Using 'with' or 'in' to show the emotion (e.g., sigh with relief).
It is also important to note the figurative uses of the word sigh. Sometimes, inanimate objects or elements of nature are described as sighing. The wind might sigh through the trees, or an old house might sigh as it settles. This personification creates a vivid, atmospheric image for the reader.

The autumn wind sighed through the empty branches of the old oak tree.

By understanding these various grammatical structures and collocations, you can use the word sigh with the nuance and precision of a native speaker, enriching your daily communication and your creative writing endeavors alike.

The word sigh is ubiquitous in the English language, appearing across a wide spectrum of contexts, from the most casual daily conversations to the highest forms of classical literature. Understanding where you are likely to encounter this word will help you grasp its versatility and emotional resonance. In everyday life, you will hear people use the word sigh to describe their own feelings or the actions of others. In a workplace environment, a colleague might say, 'I heard a big sigh from the boss's office,' indicating that there might be trouble or stress at the management level.

At home, a parent might talk about a teenager's dramatic sighs when asked to do chores.
Workplace
Used to describe stress, overwork, or frustration with tasks.
Home Life
Used to describe family dynamics, exhaustion, or relaxation.

My mother sighed when she saw the messy kitchen I had left behind.

Beyond spoken conversation, the word sigh is incredibly common in literature and creative writing. Novelists rely heavily on this word to build character profiles and establish mood. A romantic novel might feature lovers sighing with longing, while a mystery novel might have a detective sighing in frustration over a dead-end clue.

The detective sighed and rubbed his tired eyes, knowing it would be a long night.

Romance Novels
Used to show longing, love, and deep affection.
Mystery Novels
Used to show frustration, fatigue, and mental strain.
You will also hear the word sigh frequently in movies and television shows, particularly in the audio descriptions or closed captions. Because a sigh is a non-verbal sound, closed captions must explicitly state '[sighs]' so that deaf or hard-of-hearing viewers understand the emotional context of the scene.

[The main character sighs heavily as the phone rings again.]

In journalism and news reporting, the word sigh is often used metaphorically to describe the collective mood of a group of people or a nation. A news anchor might say, 'The entire city breathed a sigh of relief when the storm passed without causing major damage.'

Investors breathed a collective sigh of relief as the stock market finally stabilized.

Journalism
Used metaphorically to describe public relief or collective emotion.
Subtitles
Used in brackets to indicate the non-verbal sound to viewers.
Finally, you will hear the word sigh in poetry and music. Songwriters use the imagery of a sigh to convey deep sorrow, nostalgia, or unrequited love. The gentle, breathy sound of the word itself makes it a favorite among poets looking to create a soft, melancholic rhythm in their verses.

In the quiet of the night, her only answer was a lonely sigh.

By paying attention to these various contexts, you will quickly realize that sigh is not just a simple vocabulary word, but a vital emotional indicator woven into the very fabric of English communication.

While the word sigh is relatively straightforward, English learners often make a few common mistakes when using it, particularly regarding its distinction from other breathing-related words and its grammatical collocations. One of the most frequent errors is confusing a sigh with a simple breath. A breath is just the normal intake and output of air, which is usually silent and unconscious. A sigh, on the other hand, is deliberately deeper, longer, and, crucially, audible.

If you say someone sighed when they merely took a breath, you are falsely implying that they are experiencing a strong emotion like sadness or relief.
Breath
Normal, silent respiration for survival.
Sigh
Deep, audible exhalation showing emotion.

Incorrect: He sighed normally while sleeping. Correct: He breathed normally while sleeping.

Another common mistake involves confusing sigh with yawn. Both involve opening the mouth and taking in a lot of air, but a yawn is an involuntary reflex usually caused by tiredness or boredom, characterized by a wide opening of the jaw. A sigh is primarily an exhalation focused on emotional release.

Incorrect: She sighed widely because she needed to sleep. Correct: She yawned widely because she needed to sleep.

Yawn
Involuntary wide opening of the mouth due to fatigue.
Gasp
A sudden, sharp inhalation due to shock or surprise.
Learners also sometimes confuse sigh with gasp. A gasp is a sudden, sharp intake of breath caused by shock, surprise, or pain. A sigh is the opposite; it is a slow, prolonged letting out of breath. If someone jumps out and scares you, you gasp. If you finish a hard task, you sigh.

Incorrect: He sighed in shock when the ghost appeared. Correct: He gasped in shock when the ghost appeared.

Grammatically, learners sometimes use the wrong verbs with the noun form of sigh. You do not 'make a sigh' or 'do a sigh.' The correct collocations are 'let out a sigh,' 'give a sigh,' 'breathe a sigh,' or 'heave a sigh.' Using 'make' or 'do' sounds unnatural to native speakers.

Incorrect: She made a loud sigh. Correct: She let out a loud sigh.

Let out
The most common verb to use with the noun sigh.
Heave
Used for a very dramatic, heavy, or emotional sigh.
Finally, learners sometimes forget that sigh can be used as a dialogue tag. Instead of writing '"I am so tired," she said with a sigh,' you can simply write '"I am so tired," she sighed.' This makes the writing more concise and descriptive.

"I suppose you are right," he sighed, looking down at the floor.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, you will ensure that your use of the word sigh is accurate, natural, and highly effective in conveying the exact emotional nuance you intend.

To fully master the vocabulary surrounding human sounds and emotions, it is highly beneficial to explore words that are similar to sigh. While sigh has a specific meaning related to a long exhalation denoting emotion, several other verbs and nouns capture related physical actions and feelings. Understanding these nuances will greatly expand your descriptive capabilities. One closely related word is groan. A groan is a deep, inarticulate sound made in response to pain, despair, or extreme annoyance. While a sigh is mostly breath, a groan involves the vocal cords more heavily and usually indicates a more negative or painful experience.

You might sigh when you have to do homework, but you groan when you drop a heavy box on your foot.
Groan
A deep sound of pain or severe annoyance.
Moan
A long, low sound indicating physical or mental suffering.

He let out a frustrated sigh, which quickly turned into a loud groan when he saw the broken glass.

Another similar word is moan. A moan is a long, low sound that also indicates physical or mental suffering, but it is often more continuous than a groan. Moaning is frequently associated with illness or deep grief. A sigh is much lighter and less severe than a moan.

The sick patient moaned in his sleep, while the tired nurse sighed at her desk.

Pant
Breathing with short, quick breaths, usually after exercise.
Wheeze
Breathing with a whistling or rattling sound in the chest.
When considering the breathing aspect of a sigh, words like pant and wheeze come to mind. To pant is to breathe with short, quick breaths, typically after physical exertion like running. A sigh is slow and prolonged, the exact opposite of a pant. To wheeze is to breathe with a whistling sound, usually due to a medical condition like asthma.

After running the marathon, she was panting heavily, unable to even manage a sigh of relief.

We must also consider the word exhale. Exhale is the purely clinical, scientific term for breathing out. A sigh is a specific type of exhalation. You exhale constantly to stay alive, but you only sigh when you have an emotional reason to do so. Exhale lacks the emotional connotation that sigh carries.

The yoga instructor told the class to inhale deeply and then exhale slowly, which sounded like a collective sigh.

Exhale
The scientific term for breathing out air from the lungs.
Murmur
A soft, indistinct sound made by a person or group of people speaking quietly.
Finally, the word murmur shares the quiet, low-energy characteristic of a sigh. A murmur is a soft, indistinct sound made by a person speaking quietly. While a sigh is a breath, a murmur is speech. However, both words are often used together in literature to create a quiet, subdued atmosphere.

She answered with a soft murmur and a gentle sigh, accepting his apology.

By distinguishing sigh from groan, moan, pant, exhale, and murmur, you refine your vocabulary and ensure that you are choosing the exact right word to paint a vivid picture of human behavior and emotion.

How Formal Is It?

Formell

""

Informell

""

Umgangssprache

""

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Wichtige Grammatik

Beispiele nach Niveau

1

I sigh when I am very tired.

Breathe out heavily due to fatigue.

Present simple tense for a general fact.

2

She gave a loud sigh.

Made a noisy breath out.

Used as a noun with the verb 'gave'.

3

He sighed and closed the book.

Breathed out and shut the book.

Past simple tense, regular verb ending in -ed.

4

Do not sigh at me!

Do not breathe out loudly to show you are annoyed with me.

Imperative form (command).

5

We all sighed with relief.

Breathed out because we were happy it was over.

Common prepositional phrase 'with relief'.

6

The dog sighed in his sleep.

The dog made a deep breath sound while sleeping.

Preposition 'in' used for state of being.

7

Why did you sigh?

For what reason did you take a deep breath?

Question form in the past simple tense.

8

I heard a long sigh.

I listened to a long breath out.

Noun form modified by the adjective 'long'.

1

She sighed heavily when she saw the long line at the store.

Breathed out with a lot of weight/emotion.

Adverb 'heavily' modifies the verb 'sighed'.

2

He let out a deep sigh before starting his homework.

Released a big breath.

Common collocation 'let out a sigh'.

3

My mother sighed because the kitchen was messy again.

Breathed out due to frustration.

Using 'because' to explain the reason for the sigh.

4

They breathed a sigh of relief when the train finally arrived.

Felt relaxed after being worried.

Common idiom 'breathe a sigh of relief'.

5

Please don't sigh every time I ask you to help.

Do not make that sound when requested to do something.

Negative imperative with a time clause.

6

The old man gave a sad sigh as he looked at the photo.

Made a breath out that showed sadness.

Adjective 'sad' describing the noun 'sigh'.

7

I could hear him sighing from the other room.

Listening to him making the sound continuously.

Present participle 'sighing' used after the verb 'hear'.

8

She sighed and said, 'I guess we have to walk.'

Breathed out before speaking.

Using sigh as an action right before a quote.

1

The manager sighed in frustration when the computer crashed again.

Breathed out showing strong annoyance.

Prepositional phrase 'in frustration' shows the specific emotion.

2

With a weary sigh, she picked up her heavy backpack and continued walking.

A breath showing extreme tiredness.

Prepositional phrase 'With a weary sigh' used as an introductory clause.

3

He heaved a massive sigh of relief after passing his final driving test.

Let out a very big breath of relaxation.

Collocation 'heaved a sigh' adds dramatic effect.

4

It is considered impolite to sigh loudly while someone else is speaking.

Rude to breathe out noisily during a conversation.

Infinitive phrase 'to sigh' used as the subject complement.

5

'I suppose you're right,' she sighed, finally agreeing with him.

Spoke the words while breathing out deeply.

Used as a dialogue tag instead of 'said'.

6

The wind sighed through the empty branches of the winter trees.

The wind made a sound like a human breathing out.

Metaphorical/personification use of the verb.

7

She tried to hide her disappointment, but a small sigh escaped her lips.

A quiet breath came out accidentally.

Noun phrase 'a small sigh' acting as the subject.

8

After a long day of negotiations, the lawyers shared a collective sigh.

Everyone breathed out together.

Adjective 'collective' indicates a group action.

1

Her exasperated sigh clearly indicated that her patience had completely run out.

A breath showing extreme irritation and loss of patience.

Adjective 'exasperated' provides high-level emotional detail.

2

He stifled a sigh, not wanting his boss to know how overworked he felt.

Stopped himself from breathing out loudly.

Verb 'stifled' collocated with sigh means to suppress it.

3

The audience let out a shuddering sigh as the tragic hero died on stage.

A breath that shakes the body, showing deep emotion.

Participle adjective 'shuddering' describes the physical nature of the sigh.

4

She looked out over the ocean with a wistful sigh, remembering her childhood.

A breath showing sad, nostalgic longing.

Adjective 'wistful' indicates longing or nostalgia.

5

There was an audible sigh of contentment from the dog as it settled by the fire.

A breath of happiness that could be heard clearly.

Adjective 'audible' emphasizes that the sound was clearly heard.

6

He responded to the criticism with a dismissive sigh, refusing to argue further.

A breath showing that he did not care about the comments.

Adjective 'dismissive' shows a lack of respect or concern.

7

The old wooden house seemed to sigh as it settled into its foundations for the night.

The house made a creaking sound like a breath.

Advanced personification to create literary atmosphere.

8

Instead of arguing, she merely sighed in capitulation and signed the document.

Breathed out to show she was giving up and agreeing.

Noun phrase 'in capitulation' means surrendering or giving in.

1

His response was nothing more than a ragged sigh, laden with years of unspoken grief.

An uneven breath carrying a lot of hidden sadness.

Adjective 'ragged' and phrase 'laden with' elevate the literary tone.

2

The protagonist's constant sighing serves as a subtle motif for his existential ennui throughout the novel.

The main character's breathing out acts as a symbol for his deep boredom with life.

Gerund 'sighing' used as a noun, combined with literary analysis terms.

3

She suppressed a sigh of profound irritation, maintaining her professional facade despite the client's absurd demands.

Held back a breath of deep annoyance to look professional.

Advanced vocabulary 'suppressed', 'profound irritation', 'facade'.

4

The collective sigh that rippled through the boardroom was a palpable manifestation of their shared apprehension.

The group breath moving through the room showed their shared fear clearly.

Metaphorical verb 'rippled' and advanced noun phrase 'palpable manifestation'.

5

He exhaled a long, tremulous sigh, the sound betraying the terror he was trying so desperately to conceal.

Breathed out a shaking breath that showed his hidden fear.

Adjective 'tremulous' means shaking or quivering slightly.

6

To sigh in such a dismissive manner during a diplomatic negotiation is tantamount to a declaration of hostility.

Breathing out rudely in a meeting is equal to starting a fight.

Infinitive phrase used as the subject, with formal vocabulary 'tantamount'.

7

The dying embers of the campfire gave a final, hissing sigh before plunging the forest into absolute darkness.

The fire made a last breathing sound before going out.

Highly descriptive personification using 'hissing sigh'.

8

Her sigh was a complex amalgamation of relief that it was over and sorrow for what had been lost.

Her breath was a mix of happiness it ended and sadness for the loss.

Noun 'amalgamation' used to describe the mixed emotions of the sigh.

1

The susurrating sigh of the autumn wind through the barren oaks provided a melancholic soundtrack to his solitary vigil.

The whispering breath of the wind made a sad background noise for his lonely watch.

Extremely advanced vocabulary: 'susurrating' (whispering/rustling).

2

In the sterile silence of the clinic, her protracted sigh articulated an ineffable despair that transcended the limitations of language.

In the quiet hospital, her long breath showed a sadness too great for words.

Use of 'protracted' (long-lasting) and 'ineffable' (too great to be expressed).

3

He weaponized his sighs, deploying them with calculated precision to undermine his opponent's confidence without uttering a single actionable insult.

He used his breaths as weapons to secretly attack his rival's confidence.

Metaphorical use of 'weaponized' and 'deploying' applied to a physiological act.

4

The novel's denouement is marked not by a dramatic monologue, but by a singular, pregnant sigh that resolves the underlying thematic tension.

The book's ending features a meaningful breath that fixes the story's tension.

Literary terms 'denouement' and 'pregnant sigh' (full of meaning).

5

Physiologically, a sigh is a homeostatic reflex designed to reinflate collapsed alveoli, yet humanity has inextricably imbued it with profound emotional resonance.

Scientifically, a breath fixes the lungs, but humans have filled it with deep feeling.

Scientific terminology mixed with philosophical observation.

6

Her sigh was a masterclass in passive-aggression, a diaphanous veil of compliance barely concealing a bedrock of absolute recalcitrance.

Her breath perfectly showed fake agreement hiding deep stubbornness.

Highly poetic and complex metaphor: 'diaphanous veil', 'bedrock of recalcitrance'.

7

As the final chord of the symphony dissipated into the auditorium, the audience released a collective sigh of transcendent catharsis.

When the music ended, the crowd breathed out in deep emotional release.

Use of 'transcendent catharsis' to describe the ultimate emotional release.

8

He breathed a sigh that seemed to originate from the very marrow of his bones, a visceral expulsion of decades of accumulated sorrow.

He took a breath that felt like it came from deep inside him, pushing out years of sadness.

Visceral imagery: 'marrow of his bones', 'visceral expulsion'.

Synonyme

exhale moan groan breathe out gasp

Gegenteile

inhale laugh chuckle

Häufige Kollokationen

heave a sigh
let out a sigh
breathe a sigh
heavy sigh
deep sigh
weary sigh
contented sigh
sigh of relief
sigh heavily
sigh deeply

Häufige Phrasen

breathe a sigh of relief

heave a sigh of relief

with a heavy sigh

let out a long sigh

a collective sigh

a sigh of resignation

a wistful sigh

an exasperated sigh

to sigh over someone

a shuddering sigh

Wird oft verwechselt mit

sigh vs yawn

sigh vs gasp

sigh vs breath

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

""

Leicht verwechselbar

sigh vs

sigh vs

sigh vs

sigh vs

Satzmuster

So verwendest du es

medical

In medicine, a sigh is a normal reflex to keep lungs healthy, not just an emotion.

texting

In text messages, people often type *sigh* between asterisks to indicate their mood.

politeness

Audible sighing in customer service or formal settings is highly discouraged.

Häufige Fehler
  • Using 'make a sigh' instead of 'let out a sigh'. Native speakers rarely say 'make a sigh'.
  • Confusing 'sigh' with 'yawn'. Yawning is opening the mouth wide for sleepiness; sighing is breathing out for emotion.
  • Pronouncing the 'gh'. The 'gh' is silent. It should not sound like 'sig' or 'sif'.
  • Using it to describe normal, silent breathing. A sigh must be deep and audible.
  • Spelling it as 'sight', which means vision, completely changing the sentence's meaning.

Tipps

Use with Prepositions

When using sigh as a verb to show emotion, pair it with the prepositions 'in' or 'with'. For example, 'sigh in frustration' or 'sigh with relief'. This tells the listener exactly why you are sighing. It makes your sentence much clearer.

Adjectives for Nouns

When using sigh as a noun, always try to add an adjective before it. Don't just say 'he gave a sigh'. Say 'he gave a heavy sigh' or 'a sad sigh'. This paints a much better picture in the reader's mind.

Silent GH

Remember that the 'gh' in sigh is completely silent. Do not try to pronounce it like an 'f' or a 'g'. The word simply rhymes with 'my' or 'sky'. Practice saying 'I sigh at the sky' to remember the sound.

Dialogue Tags

If you are writing a story, use 'sighed' instead of 'said' when a character is tired or sad. For example: '"I can't do this anymore," she sighed.' It is a great way to show emotion without adding extra sentences.

Mind Your Manners

Be very careful about sighing loudly at work or in school. In many English-speaking cultures, an audible sigh is seen as passive-aggressive. It tells your boss or teacher that you are unhappy, even if you don't say a word.

Sigh of Relief

Memorize the phrase 'breathe a sigh of relief'. It is one of the most common ways this word is used. You can use it anytime a stressful situation ends well. 'I breathed a sigh of relief when I passed the test.'

Watch Subtitles

Turn on closed captions when watching English movies. You will frequently see [sighs] written on the screen. Pay attention to the actor's face and the situation when this happens. It will help you understand the emotional context.

Don't Confuse with Sight

Be careful when spelling. 'Sigh' means to breathe out. 'Sight' means the ability to see. Adding a 't' to the end completely changes the meaning of the word. Always double-check your spelling in written work.

Verbs with the Noun

When you use sigh as a noun, you need a verb to go with it. The most natural verbs to use are 'let out', 'give', or 'heave'. For example, 'She let out a sigh.' Do not use 'make' or 'do'.

Direction of Air

If you confuse sigh with gasp, remember the direction of the air. A gasp is breathing IN quickly because you are scared. A sigh is breathing OUT slowly because you are tired or relieved. Out equals sigh.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

SIGH sounds like 'cry' but with an 'S'. When you are sad enough to cry, you often SIGH first.

Wortherkunft

Old English

Kultureller Kontext

Avoid loud sighing in meetings; it signals boredom or disagreement.

Often used to show a character is in love or deeply sad.

Some cultures believe sighing blows away your good fortune.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Gesprächseinstiege

"When was the last time you breathed a sigh of relief?"

"Does it annoy you when people sigh loudly in public?"

"What makes you sigh in frustration at work or school?"

"Do you think a sigh can communicate more than words?"

"Have you ever sighed without realizing it?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe a situation recently where you let out a heavy sigh. What caused it?

Write a short story where a character's sigh changes the mood of the room.

Reflect on the difference between a sigh of relief and a sigh of sadness in your own life.

How do you react when someone sighs loudly while you are talking to them?

Write a poem using the word 'sigh' to describe the weather or nature.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

A breath is a normal, usually silent intake and output of air that you do constantly to stay alive. A sigh is a specific type of breath. It is much deeper, longer, and louder than a normal breath. You usually sigh on purpose or as a reaction to a strong feeling. You do not sigh constantly; you only do it occasionally.

It depends entirely on the context. If you sigh because you are relaxing at home, it is not rude. However, if you sigh loudly while someone is talking to you or asking you to do something, it is considered very rude. It communicates that you are bored, annoyed, or do not want to listen to them.

Yes, 'sigh' is very commonly used as a noun. It refers to the sound or the act of the deep breath itself. For example, you can say 'I heard a loud sigh' or 'She let out a sigh of relief.' It is a countable noun, so you can have one sigh or many sighs.

This is a very common idiom in English. It means to feel relaxed and happy because a bad or stressful situation has ended or been avoided. For example, if you think you lost your phone but then find it in your pocket, you 'breathe a sigh of relief.' It means the stress is gone.

Because a sigh is a physical action and a sound, you cannot hear it in a text message. People type the word *sigh* enclosed in asterisks to show the other person that they are feeling frustrated, sad, or resigned. It is a way to add body language and emotion to digital communication.

The word 'sigh' is a regular verb in English. To make it past tense, you simply add '-ed' to the end. The past tense is 'sighed'. For example, 'Yesterday, he sighed when he saw the homework.' The pronunciation is /saɪd/.

Literally, no, because objects do not have lungs. However, in literature and poetry, writers often use personification. They describe objects making a sound like a sigh to create a mood. For example, 'The wind sighed through the trees' or 'The old house sighed.' This means the object made a soft, breathy sound.

A 'heavy sigh' is a common descriptive phrase. It means the sigh is very deep and carries a lot of emotional weight. People usually let out a heavy sigh when they are extremely exhausted, very sad, or carrying a large mental burden. It sounds louder and longer than a normal sigh.

The word 'sigh' is pronounced like the word 'eye' but with an 's' at the beginning. It rhymes with 'pie', 'tie', and 'sky'. The 'gh' at the end of the word is completely silent. The phonetic spelling is /saɪ/.

No, they are different. A yawn is an involuntary reflex where you open your mouth very wide and take in a lot of air, usually because you are sleepy or bored. A sigh is a deep exhalation (breathing out) of air, usually with your mouth closed or slightly open, to show emotion like sadness or relief.

Teste dich selbst 180 Fragen

/ 180 correct

Perfect score!

Verwandte Inhalte

Mehr Emotions Wörter

abanimfy

C1

A collective psychological state characterized by a profound loss of vitality, spirit, or motivation within a specific group or community. It describes the stagnation that occurs when a social structure or organization loses its shared sense of purpose and creative energy.

abanimize

C1

Das bedeutet, Emotionen aus einer Situation herauszunehmen, um objektiver darüber nachdenken zu können.

abhor

C1

Etwas zutiefst verabscheuen oder hassen. Es ist ein starkes Wort für moralische Abscheu oder Ekel.

abminity

C1

To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.

abmotine

C1

Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.

abominable

C1

Abscheulich. 1. Das Wetter war während unseres Urlaubs absolut abscheulich. 2. Er beging ein abscheuliches Verbrechen, das die ganze Nation schockierte.

abphilous

C1

To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.

absedhood

C1

'Absedhood' beschreibt einen Zustand, in dem man sich von seiner Umwelt oder sozialen Pflichten stark zurückgezogen hat. Es ist eine Art von starker, oft selbstgewählter Isolation.

abvidness

C1

The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.

adacrty

C1

Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.

War das hilfreich?

Kommentare (0)

Zum Kommentieren Anmelden
Noch keine Kommentare. Sei der Erste, der seine Gedanken teilt!