15초 만에
- Physically holding your breath, like when swimming.
- Feeling frustrated or suffocated by a situation.
- Suppressing anger because you cannot speak out.
- Used for both physical actions and emotional states.
뜻
This phrase literally means holding your breath, but it also describes feeling suffocated or suppressing your anger and frustration.
주요 예문
3 / 6At the swimming pool
他在水里憋气憋了一分钟。
He held his breath underwater for one minute.
In a stuffy elevator
电梯里人太多了，真憋气。
It's so crowded in the elevator, it's really suffocating.
Dealing with a difficult boss
这份工作让我觉得很憋气。
This job makes me feel very frustrated and stifled.
문화적 배경
The phrase reflects the Traditional Chinese Medicine view that 'Qi' (energy/breath) must flow freely. When you 'hold' it, you cause internal stress. It became a common metaphor for the social pressure to remain silent in the face of authority or injustice.
The 'Stuffy' Room
If a room is small and has no windows, don't just say it's 'small.' Say it's `憋气` to sound like a native speaker describing the lack of air.
Not for Sadness
Don't use `憋气` for general sadness. It specifically implies a mix of anger and the inability to express it.
15초 만에
- Physically holding your breath, like when swimming.
- Feeling frustrated or suffocated by a situation.
- Suppressing anger because you cannot speak out.
- Used for both physical actions and emotional states.
What It Means
At its simplest, 憋气 is what you do underwater. You hold your breath. But in Chinese, 气 also means 'anger' or 'spirit.' So, 憋气 often describes that tight feeling in your chest. It is when you are frustrated but cannot speak up. It is like your emotions are stuck in your throat.
How To Use It
You can use it physically or emotionally. For physical use, just say 他在憋气 (He is holding his breath). For the emotional side, it describes a 'suffocating' situation. If your boss is mean and you stay silent, you are 憋气. It functions as a verb or an adjective for a situation.
When To Use It
Use it when you are swimming or hiding. Use it when a room feels incredibly stuffy. Most importantly, use it when you feel wronged. If a friend cancels plans last minute, you might feel 憋气. It is perfect for describing those 'I want to scream but I can't' moments.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for light, happy excitement. It almost always has a negative or strained undertone. If you are just 'waiting with bated breath' for a gift, use 期待. 憋气 is too heavy for that. Also, do not use it for medical 'shortness of breath.' That is 呼吸困难.
Cultural Background
In Chinese culture, harmony is often prioritized over confrontation. This means people frequently 'swallow' their anger. This leads to the feeling of 憋气. There is a related concept called 气顺 (smooth breath). That is when everything is going well. 憋气 is the opposite—the flow of life is blocked. It is a very visceral way to describe stress.
Common Variations
You will often hear 憋了一口气. This means you have been holding in a grudge for a long time. Another one is 憋得慌. This is what you say when a room is too small. It can also mean you are dying to say something. It is a very expressive, 'physical' way to talk about your feelings.
사용 참고사항
The phrase is very versatile but keep in mind it carries a sense of 'internal pressure.' Use it when the frustration has no immediate outlet.
The 'Stuffy' Room
If a room is small and has no windows, don't just say it's 'small.' Say it's `憋气` to sound like a native speaker describing the lack of air.
Not for Sadness
Don't use `憋气` for general sadness. It specifically implies a mix of anger and the inability to express it.
The 'Qi' Connection
In China, emotions are often described through 'Qi' (air/energy). `憋气` is literally 'blocked energy,' which is why it feels so uncomfortable!
예시
6他在水里憋气憋了一分钟。
He held his breath underwater for one minute.
A literal, physical use of the phrase.
电梯里人太多了，真憋气。
It's so crowded in the elevator, it's really suffocating.
Describes a physical environment that lacks air.
这份工作让我觉得很憋气。
This job makes me feel very frustrated and stifled.
An emotional use meaning suppressed frustration.
别憋气了，快跟他谈谈吧。
Stop holding it in, go talk to him.
Encouraging someone to release suppressed anger.
我们比比谁憋气时间长！
Let's see who can hold their breath the longest!
A playful challenge among friends.
在那场会议上，我真是憋了一肚子气。
In that meeting, I was really full of suppressed anger.
Using a common idiom variation for intense frustration.
셀프 테스트
Choose the best word to describe holding your breath while swimming.
在水下，你需要___。
`憋气` (biēqì) is the specific term for holding one's breath.
How would you describe a situation where you are unfairly treated but can't complain?
老板不让我说话，我觉得很___。
`憋气` describes the feeling of being stifled or unable to vent frustration.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 憋气
Used as 'stifled' in gaming or internet culture.
这局打得太憋气了！
Standard daily conversation about health or feelings.
别憋气，深呼吸。
Rarely used in formal writing; usually replaced by 'suppressed'.
感到压抑 (yāyì)
When to use 憋气
Swimming
Holding breath underwater
Stuffy Room
No ventilation
Unfairness
Can't argue back
Hiding
Staying silent to avoid detection
연습 문제 은행
2 연습 문제在水下，你需要___。
`憋气` (biēqì) is the specific term for holding one's breath.
老板不让我说话，我觉得很___。
`憋气` describes the feeling of being stifled or unable to vent frustration.
🎉 점수: /2
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, it also means feeling frustrated or suffocated emotionally. For example, 这件事真让人憋气 means 'This situation is really stifling.'
Yes, but only if you are keeping that anger inside. If you are shouting, you are 生气, not 憋气.
It is neutral to informal. You can use it with friends or colleagues, but in a very formal report, you might use 压抑 (yāyì) instead.
生气 is just being angry. 憋气 is the specific feeling of being angry but having to hold it in.
You can say 我在憋气. It’s commonly used in games like hide and seek or when characters are underwater.
Not really. 憋气 is almost always uncomfortable, whether physically or mentally.
Usually, we use 勒 (lēi) for tight clothes. But if the shirt makes it hard to breathe, you could say it makes you feel 憋气.
It means you have been holding onto a grudge or a desire to prove yourself for a long time. It's like a long-term version of 憋气.
It's better to use 呼吸不畅 or 胸闷. 憋气 sounds more like a temporary action or an emotional state.
Yes, gamers use it when they feel 'stifled' by the opponent's strategy, saying 这局打得太憋气了.
관련 표현
生气 (shēngqì) - to get angry
压抑 (yāyì) - suppressed/stifled
闷 (mèn) - stuffy/bored
断气 (duànqì) - to stop breathing/die
气馁 (qìněi) - discouraged
