When you hear suspirar, think about taking a deep breath out. It's like when you're a little sad or maybe really happy that something is over. You let out a big breath, right? That's suspirar in Spanish. We do this when we feel strong emotions, both good and bad. It’s a very human thing to do!
When you're feeling a strong emotion, like sadness or relief, you might take a deep breath that you let out slowly and audibly. In Spanish, this action is called suspirar. It's a verb, so you'll use it to describe someone doing this action, like "Yo suspiro" (I sigh) or "Ella suspira" (She sighs). You can use it when talking about someone being sad, tired, or even really happy and relieved about something. Keep an ear out for this word in Spanish conversations and you'll often hear it in movies or songs when characters are feeling something deeply.
When you hear someone let out a sigh, they are probably suspirando. This verb describes the act of sighing, which can be an expression of various emotions. For instance, you might suspirar with relief after a difficult task is finished, or you could suspirar sadly when remembering something or someone. It's a common human action, and understanding when and why people suspirar will help you better grasp social cues in Spanish conversations.
suspirar in 30 Seconds
- Breathe out loudly.
- Express sadness or relief with a breath.
- A long, deep breath.
§ What Does "Suspirar" Mean?
Alright, let's get straight to it. The Spanish verb suspirar (pronounced: soos-pee-RAR) is pretty straightforward, but it's used in some specific situations. It means to sigh. Think about it in English: when do you sigh? Usually when you're feeling a strong emotion, right? That's exactly how it works in Spanish too.
- DEFINITION
- To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness or relief.
So, whether you're feeling a bit down, or incredibly relieved, suspirar is the verb you'll use. It's a common human action, so you'll hear and use this word quite a bit in everyday Spanish conversation.
§ When Do People Use It?
Let's break down the main situations where you'll hear or use suspirar.
- Expressing Sadness or Melancholy: This is probably the most common use. When someone is feeling a little sad, disappointed, or even just reflective, they might sigh.
Ella suspiró tristemente al ver la lluvia. (She sighed sadly upon seeing the rain.)
Después de escuchar las malas noticias, él solo pudo suspirar. (After hearing the bad news, he could only sigh.)
- Expressing Relief: This is the other major use for suspirar. Imagine you've been stressed about something, and then suddenly, the problem is solved. What do you do? You let out a big sigh of relief!
Ella suspiró de alivio cuando encontró sus llaves. (She sighed with relief when she found her keys.)
Cuando terminó el examen, todos los estudiantes suspiraron. (When the exam finished, all the students sighed.)
- Expressing Longing or Yearning (Figurative Use): Sometimes, suspirar can be used a bit more poetically to express a strong desire or longing for something or someone. This is a bit more advanced, but good to know.
Ella suspiraba por volver a su país. (She sighed / yearned to return to her country.)
In summary, suspirar is your go-to verb for expressing those deep breaths that show a strong emotion, whether it's relief or a touch of sadness. Pay attention to the context, and you'll always understand exactly what someone means when they use it.
§ Understanding 'Suspirar'
Alright, let's break down how to use 'suspirar' like a pro. This verb means 'to sigh', and it's pretty straightforward, but knowing its common companions will make your Spanish sound much more natural.
- DEFINITION
- To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness or relief.
§ Basic Sentence Structure
'Suspirar' is a regular -ar verb. You conjugate it just like you would 'hablar' (to speak) or 'cantar' (to sing). No tricks here. You just need a subject and the conjugated verb.
Ella suspira profundamente.
She sighs deeply.
El hombre suspiró de alivio.
The man sighed with relief.
§ Common Prepositions with 'Suspirar'
While 'suspirar' often stands alone, you'll frequently see it paired with prepositions to add more context. The two most common are 'de' (of/from) and 'por' (for/by).
§ 'Suspirar de' (to sigh of/with)
When you're sighing *because* of something, especially an emotion like relief or sadness, you'll use 'de'. Think of it as 'sighing out of' or 'sighing with'.
Los estudiantes suspiraron de alivio cuando terminó el examen.
The students sighed with relief when the exam finished.
Ella suspira de tristeza cada vez que lo recuerda.
She sighs with sadness every time she remembers it.
§ 'Suspirar por' (to sigh for/over)
If you're sighing *for* someone or *over* something, usually out of longing or desire, 'por' is your go-to preposition.
Él suspira por ella desde hace años.
He has been sighing for her for years (meaning, longing for her).
La chica suspiraba por un poco de paz.
The girl sighed for a little peace (meaning, longed for peace).
§ 'Suspirar' with Adverbs
You can easily describe *how* someone is sighing by adding adverbs. Common ones include 'profundamente' (deeply), 'lentamente' (slowly), or 'tristemente' (sadly).
Ella suspiró tristemente al ver las noticias.
She sighed sadly upon seeing the news.
Después de un día largo, solo quieres suspirar profundamente.
After a long day, you just want to sigh deeply.
§ When NOT to use 'Suspirar'
While 'suspirar' is versatile, don't confuse it with other breathing actions. It's specifically for that audible, expressive breath. You wouldn't use it for just taking a normal breath or gasping for air. For those, you'd use verbs like 'respirar' (to breathe) or 'jadear' (to gasp).
Incorrect: *Ella suspiró aire fresco. (She sighed fresh air.)
Correct: Ella respiró aire fresco. (She breathed fresh air.)
§ Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to master 'suspirar' is to use it. Try to describe moments when you or someone else sighs. Was it a sigh of relief, sadness, or longing? Which preposition fits best?
Yo suspiro cada vez que pienso en mis vacaciones.
I sigh every time I think about my vacation.
¿Por qué suspiras tanto?
Why do you sigh so much?
Keep practicing, and soon 'suspirar' will be a natural part of your Spanish vocabulary!
§ What 'suspirar' means
- Spanish Word
- suspirar (verb)
- CEFR Level
- A2
- Definition
- To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness or relief.
Alright, let's talk about 'suspirar.' This isn't just breathing; it's breathing with feeling. When you 'suspirar,' you're letting out a sigh. This sigh can be for a couple of main reasons: sadness or relief. Think of it as a way the body expresses an inner emotional state without needing words.
§ Where you actually hear 'suspirar'
You'll hear 'suspirar' in all sorts of daily situations. It's a very human action, so it pops up in conversations, stories, and even news reports when people are reacting to events. Let's break down some common scenarios.
- At Work: Imagine a stressful project finally finishing. Someone might 'suspirar' in relief. Or, if something goes wrong, they might sigh in frustration or resignation.
Después de terminar el informe, Ana suspiró de alivio.
- At School: Students might 'suspirar' when they see a difficult exam, or after they've passed one they were worried about. A teacher might sigh if a student is struggling.
El estudiante suspiró al ver la pregunta más difícil del examen.
- In the News: When a news report describes someone's reaction to a sad event or a positive resolution, 'suspirar' can be used. It adds a touch of human emotion to the reporting.
La familia suspiró de tristeza al escuchar la noticia.
You'll also hear it in more personal contexts, like when someone is expressing longing or romance. While the primary definition focuses on sadness or relief, a 'suspiro' can also imply a wistful or romantic feeling, especially in literature or song lyrics. But for everyday conversation at A2 level, stick to sadness or relief.
So, when you're listening to Spanish, keep an ear out for 'suspirar.' It's a small word, but it carries a lot of emotional weight and is a common part of natural Spanish conversation.
§ Don't confuse 'suspirar' with 'respirar'
This is a classic one. Many learners, especially beginners, mix up 'suspirar' (to sigh) and 'respirar' (to breathe). While both involve air moving in and out, their meanings and usage are very different. 'Respirar' is a general action, something we do constantly and unconsciously to live. 'Suspirar' is a specific, often emotional, action. Think of it this way: you breathe all the time, but you only sigh when you're feeling something specific, like sadness, relief, or even exasperation.
- DEFINITION
- Suspirar: To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness or relief.
Ella suspiró aliviada cuando terminó el examen.
She sighed with relief when the exam was over.
Compare that to:
Necesitamos respirar aire fresco.
We need to breathe fresh air.
§ Using 'suspirar' for non-emotional breathing
While 'suspirar' involves breathing, it's not used for just any kind of deep breath. If someone is taking a deep breath to calm down, or to gather their thoughts, 'suspirar' isn't usually the best choice. For those situations, you might use phrases like 'tomar un respiro profundo' (to take a deep breath) or 'respirar hondo' (to breathe deeply). 'Suspirar' specifically implies an emotional component – a sigh of sadness, relief, longing, or even annoyance.
Incorrect:
Él suspiró antes de hablar para concentrarse.
He sighed before speaking to concentrate. (Sounds a bit off, unless he was sighing out of frustration before speaking.)
Correct:
Él tomó un respiro profundo antes de hablar para concentrarse.
He took a deep breath before speaking to concentrate.
§ Overusing 'suspirar'
Sometimes learners tend to overuse 'suspirar' because it's a direct translation of 'to sigh'. However, in Spanish, you often imply the sigh through context or other descriptive words rather than explicitly using 'suspirar' every time someone lets out an audible breath. While it's not strictly a mistake, it can make your Spanish sound less natural. For instance, instead of saying 'Ella suspiró de cansancio' (She sighed of tiredness), you could say 'Ella dejó escapar un suspiro de cansancio' (She let out a sigh of tiredness) or even just describe her tired expression. The key is to vary your language.
§ Incorrect prepositions
While 'suspirar' can sometimes be followed by 'por' to mean 'to long for' or 'to yearn for' (e.g., 'suspirar por alguien/algo' - to sigh/long for someone/something), don't automatically pair it with prepositions for other emotions. For example, you wouldn't say 'suspirar de alegría' (to sigh of joy) directly to express a joyful sigh. While technically understandable, it's not the most natural phrasing. Often, 'suspirar con' (with) or 'suspirar de' (of/from) can be used, but it's crucial to ensure the resulting phrase is idiomatic. For expressing relief, 'suspirar de alivio' is common and correct.
Correct:
Él suspiró de alivio al encontrar sus llaves.
He sighed with relief upon finding his keys.
Correct (for longing):
Ella suspira por un día de descanso.
She longs for a day of rest.
Always pay attention to how native speakers use prepositions with specific verbs. When in doubt, listen to examples or consult a reliable dictionary.
§ Understanding 'Suspirar'
The Spanish verb 'suspirar' is an A2-level word that means 'to sigh' in English. It describes emitting a long, deep, audible breath, often to express feelings like sadness, relief, longing, or even sometimes boredom or annoyance. It's a common verb you'll hear and use in everyday conversations.
- Spanish Word
- suspirar (verb)
- Definition
- To emit a long, deep, audible breath expressing sadness or relief.
§ Examples of 'Suspirar' in Use
Here are some practical examples to help you understand how 'suspirar' is used in context:
Ella suspiró de alivio cuando vio que todo estaba bien.
She sighed with relief when she saw that everything was fine.
El niño suspiró con tristeza al ver que su juguete estaba roto.
The child sighed sadly upon seeing his toy was broken.
A veces, solo quieres suspirar después de un largo día.
Sometimes, you just want to sigh after a long day.
§ When to Use 'Suspirar' vs. Alternatives
While 'suspirar' generally translates to 'to sigh,' it's helpful to consider when to use it over other words that might describe similar actions or emotions. There aren't many direct synonyms for the physical act of sighing, but there are other verbs that express the *reason* for the sigh.
Here's a breakdown:
Suspirar (to sigh): This is your go-to for the physical act of taking a deep, expressive breath. It covers a wide range of emotions, from sadness and relief to longing or even impatience. It's about the sound and the physical expression.
Lamentarse (to lament, to complain): While a sigh might accompany lamenting, 'lamentarse' focuses on expressing sorrow, regret, or complaint verbally. You might sigh *because* you are lamenting something, but 'lamentarse' itself is more about the verbal expression of distress.
Se lamentaba de su mala suerte, pero no suspiró.
He complained about his bad luck, but he didn't sigh.
Quejarse (to complain): Similar to 'lamentarse,' 'quejarse' emphasizes verbal dissatisfaction. A sigh can show frustration, but 'quejarse' explicitly refers to voicing that frustration.
Ella se quejó del servicio, y luego suspiró de exasperación.
She complained about the service, and then sighed in exasperation.
Respirar hondo (to breathe deeply): While 'suspirar' involves a deep breath, 'respirar hondo' is simply the action of taking a deep breath, often for calm or preparation, without necessarily conveying a strong emotion like 'suspirar' does. 'Suspirar' implies more expressive intent.
El médico le dijo que respirara hondo.
The doctor told him to breathe deeply.
Ella suspiró después de respirar hondo varias veces.
She sighed after breathing deeply several times.
In summary, 'suspirar' is specific to the act of sighing, an audible expression of feeling. Other verbs describe the underlying emotion or a similar physical action without the same emotional connotation. When you want to convey the act of sighing, 'suspirar' is almost always the correct choice.
How Formal Is It?
"El profesor suspiró hondamente, una expresión de pesar inundó su rostro."
"Después de un largo día, ella suspiró con alivio al sentarse en el sofá."
"¡Uf! Suspiré cuando finalmente terminé ese trabajo."
"El osito suspiró hondo después de un gran abrazo."
"Menudo día, ¿eh? Voy a echar un suspiro y a relajarme."
Fun Fact
The 'sus-' prefix comes from 'sub-' meaning 'under' or 'from below,' and '-spirare' means 'to breathe.' So, literally, 'to breathe from below.'
Grammar to Know
Regular -AR verb conjugation: 'suspirar' follows the regular conjugation pattern for verbs ending in -AR. For example, in the present tense, it is 'yo suspiro' (I sigh), 'tú suspiras' (you sigh), 'él/ella/usted suspira' (he/she/you sigh), 'nosotros/as suspiramos' (we sigh), 'vosotros/as suspiráis' (you all sigh), 'ellos/ellas/ustedes suspiran' (they/you all sigh).
Cuando está cansado, él suspira profundamente. (When he is tired, he sighs deeply.)
Past tense usage: The preterite tense is used for completed actions in the past. For 'suspirar', it would be 'suspiré' (I sighed), 'suspiraste' (you sighed), etc. The imperfect tense is used for ongoing or habitual actions in the past. For 'suspirar', it would be 'suspiraba' (I used to sigh/was sighing), 'suspirabas' (you used to sigh/were sighing), etc.
Ella suspiró de alivio cuando terminó el examen. (She sighed with relief when the exam finished.)
Subjunctive mood: 'Suspirar' can be used in the subjunctive mood to express wishes, doubts, or emotions. For example, 'Espero que suspire de felicidad.' (I hope that he sighs with happiness.)
Si yo suspirara, sería por tu ausencia. (If I were to sigh, it would be for your absence.)
Use with prepositions: 'Suspirar' is often followed by prepositions like 'de' (of/from) to indicate the cause or emotion of the sigh. For example, 'suspirar de alivio' (to sigh with relief) or 'suspirar de tristeza' (to sigh with sadness).
El público suspiró de emoción al ver el final. (The audience sighed with emotion upon seeing the end.)
Reflexive form: While less common, 'suspirarse' can sometimes be used reflexively, particularly in poetic contexts, to emphasize the act of sighing to oneself. However, the non-reflexive form is generally more common for 'to sigh'.
Se suspiraba con anhelo por el pasado. (He sighed with longing for the past. - poetic usage)
Examples by Level
Ella suspiró de tristeza.
She sighed with sadness.
El niño suspiró de alivio.
The boy sighed with relief.
Yo suspiro cuando estoy cansado.
I sigh when I am tired.
Tú suspiras mucho, ¿estás bien?
You sigh a lot, are you okay?
Nosotros suspiramos al final del día.
We sigh at the end of the day.
Ellos suspiran cuando la película termina.
They sigh when the movie ends.
La maestra suspiró antes de hablar.
The teacher sighed before speaking.
Siempre suspiras cuando ves esa foto.
You always sigh when you see that photo.
Ella suspira cuando está cansada.
She sighs when she is tired.
Present tense of 'suspirar' (to sigh) with 'ella' (she).
El niño suspiró de alivio al ver a su mamá.
The boy sighed with relief when he saw his mom.
Preterite tense of 'suspirar' with 'el niño' (the boy).
Siempre suspiro después de un día largo.
I always sigh after a long day.
Present tense of 'suspirar' with 'yo' (I).
No suspiren, la tarea es fácil.
Don't sigh, the homework is easy.
Negative command form (ustedes) of 'suspirar'.
Después de correr, solo quería suspirar.
After running, he/she just wanted to sigh.
Infinitive form of 'suspirar' used after a conjugated verb.
Ellos suspiran cuando están aburridos.
They sigh when they are bored.
Present tense of 'suspirar' with 'ellos' (they).
Mi abuela suspira mucho cuando recuerda el pasado.
My grandmother sighs a lot when she remembers the past.
Present tense of 'suspirar' with 'mi abuela' (my grandmother).
Si suspiras, te sientes mejor a veces.
If you sigh, you feel better sometimes.
Present tense of 'suspirar' with 'tú' (you).
Después de un largo día de trabajo, ella suspiró de alivio al llegar a casa.
After a long day of work, she sighed with relief upon arriving home.
Here, 'suspirar de alivio' means 'to sigh with relief'.
Él suspiró profundamente mientras miraba la lluvia caer por la ventana.
He sighed deeply as he watched the rain fall outside the window.
'Suspirar profundamente' means 'to sigh deeply'.
Cuando le conté la noticia, ella suspiró con tristeza.
When I told her the news, she sighed with sadness.
'Suspirar con tristeza' means 'to sigh with sadness'.
Los niños suspiraron de aburrimiento durante la larga conferencia.
The children sighed with boredom during the long lecture.
'Suspirar de aburrimiento' means 'to sigh with boredom'.
No pudo evitar suspirar cuando su equipo perdió el partido.
He couldn't help but sigh when his team lost the game.
'No pudo evitar suspirar' means 'he couldn't help but sigh'.
Ella suspiró y cerró los ojos, intentando relajarse.
She sighed and closed her eyes, trying to relax.
Simple past tense of 'suspirar'.
Al final del libro, el personaje principal suspiró satisfecho.
At the end of the book, the main character sighed contentedly.
'Suspirar satisfecho' means 'to sigh contentedly'.
Cada vez que ve a su viejo amigo, suspira recordando los viejos tiempos.
Every time he sees his old friend, he sighs remembering the old times.
Present tense of 'suspirar' with a gerund ('recordando').
Después de tanto trabajo, solo quería llegar a casa y suspirar de alivio.
After so much work, I just wanted to get home and sigh with relief.
Here, 'suspirar de alivio' means 'to sigh with relief'.
Cuando le dieron la noticia, ella suspiró profundamente, con una mezcla de tristeza y resignación.
When they gave her the news, she sighed deeply, with a mix of sadness and resignation.
'Suspirar profundamente' means 'to sigh deeply'.
El niño suspiraba cada vez que pensaba en el examen que tenía al día siguiente.
The boy would sigh every time he thought about the exam he had the next day.
The imperfect tense 'suspiraba' indicates a repeated or habitual action.
Tras la larga espera, la enfermera suspiró antes de darles los resultados.
After the long wait, the nurse sighed before giving them the results.
The preterite tense 'suspiró' indicates a completed action in the past.
Todos suspiraron cuando el director finalmente anunció el fin de la reunión.
Everyone sighed when the director finally announced the end of the meeting.
The plural form 'suspiraron' matches the plural subject 'todos'.
No pudo evitar suspirar de frustración al ver que el problema persistía.
He couldn't help but sigh with frustration when he saw that the problem persisted.
'Suspirar de frustración' means 'to sigh with frustration'.
A veces, solo necesitas un momento para parar, respirar y suspirar.
Sometimes, you just need a moment to stop, breathe, and sigh.
Here, 'suspirar' is used as an infinitive after a series of actions.
La joven suspiró al recordar los tiempos felices de su infancia.
The young woman sighed as she remembered the happy times of her childhood.
The preposition 'al' + infinitive ('al recordar') means 'upon remembering' or 'when remembering'.
Después de tanto trabajo, suspiré de alivio al ver que todo había terminado a tiempo.
After so much work, I sighed with relief when I saw that everything had finished on time.
Here, 'suspiré' is the preterite tense of 'suspirar', indicating a completed action in the past. 'De alivio' means 'of relief'.
Ella suspiró profundamente antes de confesar la verdad que tanto la oprimía.
She sighed deeply before confessing the truth that was oppressing her so much.
The adverb 'profundamente' modifies 'suspiró', indicating how the sigh was emitted. 'Oprimía' is in the imperfect tense, describing an ongoing state in the past.
Al final del día, el viejo suspiraba cansado, deseando un merecido descanso.
At the end of the day, the old man sighed tiredly, wishing for a well-deserved rest.
'Suspiraba' is in the imperfect tense, suggesting a habitual or continuous action in the past. 'Cansado' acts as an adjective describing the man's state.
Los enamorados suspiraban el uno por el otro, anhelando su próximo encuentro.
The lovers sighed for each other, longing for their next encounter.
'Suspiraban el uno por el otro' is a common expression meaning 'they sighed for each other' or 'they yearned for each other'. 'Anhelando' is a present participle, indicating a simultaneous action.
Cuando le dijeron la noticia, no pudo evitar suspirar de tristeza.
When they told him the news, he couldn't help but sigh with sadness.
'No pudo evitar' means 'he couldn't help but'. 'De tristeza' means 'of sadness', similar to 'de alivio'.
Es común suspirar cuando uno está reflexionando o profundamente concentrado.
It's common to sigh when one is reflecting or deeply concentrated.
'Es común' means 'it's common'. 'Suspirar' is used here in its infinitive form as the subject of the sentence. 'Cuando uno está' means 'when one is'.
Después de un largo día de trabajo, mi madre siempre suspira antes de sentarse a descansar.
After a long day of work, my mother always sighs before sitting down to rest.
'Siempre suspira' indicates a habitual action in the present tense. 'Antes de sentarse' means 'before sitting down'.
El médico suspiró, indicando que el paciente aún tenía un largo camino hacia la recuperación.
The doctor sighed, indicating that the patient still had a long way to recovery.
Here, 'suspiró' in the preterite tense conveys a specific action. 'Indicando' is a present participle, showing a consequence or accompanying action.
Se sentó junto a la ventana y suspiró profundamente, añorando su hogar.
She sat by the window and sighed deeply, longing for her home.
Here, 'suspiró' is in the preterite tense, indicating a completed action.
Después de encontrar las llaves que creía perdidas, no pudo evitar suspirar de alivio.
After finding the keys she thought were lost, she couldn't help but sigh with relief.
The phrase 'no pudo evitar suspirar' means 'she couldn't help but sigh'.
Al escuchar la triste noticia, un suspiro colectivo se extendió por la multitud.
Upon hearing the sad news, a collective sigh spread through the crowd.
'Un suspiro colectivo' refers to a shared sigh, emphasizing the emotional impact.
El médico suspiró antes de dar el diagnóstico, sabiendo lo difícil que sería para la familia.
The doctor sighed before giving the diagnosis, knowing how difficult it would be for the family.
The action of sighing ('suspiró') precedes another action, showing a connection between them.
Cada vez que pensaba en su pasado, un suspiro escapaba de sus labios sin que se diera cuenta.
Every time he thought about his past, a sigh escaped his lips without him realizing it.
'Escapaba de sus labios' is a common expression for a sigh or sound emerging unintentionally.
Con un suspiro de resignación, aceptó la decisión final del comité.
With a sigh of resignation, he accepted the committee's final decision.
The preposition 'con' ('with') is used to describe the manner of sighing: 'con un suspiro de resignación'.
Se le escapó un leve suspiro al recordar los viejos tiempos, llenos de alegría y despreocupación.
A slight sigh escaped her when she remembered the old times, full of joy and carelessness.
'Se le escapó un leve suspiro' is another way to say a sigh emerged unintentionally.
El largo suspiro que emitió al terminar la jornada laboral reflejaba su extremo cansancio.
The long sigh he let out at the end of the workday reflected his extreme fatigue.
Here, 'que emitió' is a relative clause modifying 'suspiro', specifying the kind of sigh.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Ella suspiró profundamente al escuchar las noticias.
She sighed deeply upon hearing the news.
Suspiró de alivio cuando vio que su hijo estaba bien.
He sighed with relief when he saw his son was okay.
A veces solo quiero suspirar y olvidar mis problemas.
Sometimes I just want to sigh and forget my problems.
No pude evitar suspirar al ver la belleza del paisaje.
I couldn't help but sigh seeing the beauty of the landscape.
Después de un largo día de trabajo, solo quería suspirar y descansar.
After a long day of work, he just wanted to sigh and rest.
Su música siempre me hace suspirar.
Her music always makes me sigh.
Él suspiraba cada vez que pensaba en ella.
He would sigh every time he thought of her.
Dejó de suspirar cuando se dio cuenta de que no había nada que hacer.
She stopped sighing when she realized there was nothing to do.
Un buen suspiro puede liberar mucha tensión.
A good sigh can release a lot of tension.
El suspirar es una reacción natural al estrés.
Sighing is a natural reaction to stress.
Often Confused With
Don't confuse the general act of breathing with the emotional sigh.
Remember 'suspirar' is the verb (to sigh), and 'el suspiro' is the noun (the sigh).
While both can express sadness, 'suspirar' is a breath, 'sollozar' is crying with gasps.
Grammar Patterns
Easily Confused
Looks and sounds similar to 'suspirar'.
'Respirar' means 'to breathe', a general action of inhaling and exhaling. 'Suspirar' is a specific type of breath, often involuntary, expressing an emotion.
La enfermera le pidió que respirara hondo. (The nurse asked him to breathe deeply.)
This is an idiomatic phrase that means 'to sigh', similar in meaning to 'suspirar'.
'Suspirar' is the verb itself. 'Echar un suspiro' uses 'echar' (to throw/cast) with the noun 'suspiro' (sigh) to form a verbal phrase. Both convey the same action.
Después de tanto trabajo, solo quería echar un suspiro de alivio. (After so much work, he just wanted to let out a sigh of relief.)
Both 'suspirar' and 'sollozar' can express sadness.
'Suspirar' is a deep breath, often quiet. 'Sollozar' means 'to sob', which involves crying with short, convulsive gasps.
El niño empezó a sollozar después de caerse. (The child began to sob after falling.)
Both can be expressions of discomfort or emotion.
'Suspirar' is typically a deep breath. 'Gemir' means 'to moan' or 'to groan', which is a low, inarticulate sound expressing pain, despair, or pleasure.
El herido empezó a gemir de dolor. (The injured person began to moan in pain.)
Both involve unusual breathing patterns.
'Suspirar' is a specific emotional breath. 'Jadear' means 'to pant' or 'to gasp for breath', often due to exertion or fear, and is usually short and quick breaths.
Después de correr tanto, empezó a jadear. (After running so much, he started to pant.)
Sentence Patterns
Subject + suspirar
Yo suspiro. (I sigh.)
Subject + suspirar + con + emotion
Ella suspira con alivio. (She sighs with relief.)
Subject + suspirar + por + noun
Él suspira por su amor. (He sighs for his love.)
Subject + suspirar + al + infinitive
Nosotros suspiramos al recordar. (We sigh upon remembering.)
Subject + suspirar + que + subjunctive
Ellos suspiran que la guerra termine. (They sigh that the war ends.)
Subject + suspirar + de + emotion
Yo suspiro de cansancio. (I sigh from tiredness.)
Se + suspira + con + emotion
Se suspira con tristeza. (One sighs with sadness.)
Subject + suspirar + como si + imperfect subjunctive
Ella suspira como si estuviera triste. (She sighs as if she were sad.)
Tips
Suspirar is NOT 'to sigh'
It's easy to directly translate suspirar as 'to sigh'. However, suspirar has a slightly deeper and more emotional meaning. It implies a more dramatic breath, often indicating a deeper emotion like sadness or relief, rather than just a casual sigh.
Practice with emotions
Think about situations where you would sigh with emotion. For example, 'Suspiró de alivio cuando vio que su hijo estaba bien' (She sighed with relief when she saw her son was okay). Or 'Suspiró con tristeza al recordar a su abuela' (He sighed with sadness remembering his grandmother).
Listen for it in songs
Many Spanish romantic songs use suspirar to express longing or sadness. Pay attention to the lyrics and see if you can catch it. It will help you understand the emotional nuance. For instance, 'Por ti mi alma suspira' (For you my soul longs/sighs).
Conjugate it
Like any verb, you'll need to know how to conjugate suspirar. It's a regular -ar verb. Practice conjugating it in the present tense: yo suspiro, tú suspiras, él/ella/usted suspira, nosotros/as suspiramos, vosotros/as suspiráis, ellos/ellas/ustedes suspiran. Practice saying 'Yo suspiro cuando estoy cansado' (I sigh when I'm tired).
Use it in different tenses
Don't just stick to the present. Try using it in the past, like 'Ella suspiró profundamente después del examen' (She sighed deeply after the exam). Or in the future: 'Todos suspirarán cuando termine el proyecto' (Everyone will sigh when the project finishes).
Avoid overusing it
While suspirar is good for emphasizing emotion, don't use it for every casual sigh. If someone just lets out a quick breath without much emotional weight, a simple 'soltar un suspiro' (to let out a sigh) or even just context might be more appropriate. Think about if the emotion is significant.
Cultural context of sighs
In some Spanish-speaking cultures, a deep sigh can be a more common and accepted public expression of strong emotion than in some English-speaking cultures. It's not necessarily a sign of rudeness, but rather a way to show feeling.
Related words: 'suspiro'
The noun form is 'el suspiro' (the sigh). You might hear phrases like 'un suspiro de alivio' (a sigh of relief) or 'un suspiro hondo' (a deep sigh). This can be useful for varying your vocabulary. For example, 'Dio un suspiro de cansancio' (He gave a sigh of tiredness).
Pair with adverbs
To add more detail, pair suspirar with adverbs. For example, 'Suspiró lentamente' (She sighed slowly), 'Suspiró profundamente' (He sighed deeply), or 'Suspiró conmovido' (She sighed movedly/with emotion).
Visualize the action
When you hear or use suspirar, try to visualize someone taking a long, noticeable breath. This mental image will help solidify the meaning and differentiate it from a more casual 'sigh'. Think about moments of great relief or deep sorrow.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'SUSpend' and 'PIRates'. Imagine a pirate who has to suspend his treasure hunt and sighs deeply in disappointment. SUS-PIR-ar.
Visual Association
Picture a person letting out a big, audible breath. You can almost 'see' the air coming out. Maybe they are sitting by a window, looking out with a thoughtful expression, and they *suspiro*.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to use 'suspirar' in your daily life. Every time you sigh, whether from relief or exasperation, consciously think 'suspirar'. For example, if you finish a long task, think '¡Suspiro de alivio!' (I sigh with relief!).
Word Origin
Latin 'suspirare'
Original meaning: to sigh, to draw a deep breath
Indo-European, Italic, RomanceCultural Context
In Spanish-speaking cultures, 'suspirar' is a common expression of emotion, much like in English. It can convey anything from romantic longing to exasperation. You might hear someone 'suspirar de alivio' (sigh with relief) or 'suspirar por amor' (sigh for love).
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
After a difficult day
- Necesito suspirar y relajarme después de este día.
- Ella suspiró profundamente al terminar su jornada.
- Un largo suspiro de alivio al llegar a casa.
When feeling sad or melancholic
- Él suspiraba cada vez que recordaba su pasado.
- Con un suspiro, ella compartió su tristeza.
- Se oían suspiros de melancolía en la habitación.
Expressing relief
- ¡Por fin! - suspiró con alivio al terminar el examen.
- Ella suspiró cuando supo que todo estaba bien.
- Un suspiro de alivio se escapó de sus labios.
In romantic or dramatic contexts
- Él suspiraba cada vez que la veía.
- Con un suspiro de anhelo, esperaba su regreso.
- Suspiró dramáticamente al escuchar la noticia.
Describing someone's action
- Ella suspiró, cansada de esperar.
- El niño suspiró antes de responder.
- Lo miró y suspiró levemente.
Conversation Starters
"¿Cuándo fue la última vez que suspiraste de alivio?"
"¿Qué te hace suspirar de tristeza?"
"¿Alguna vez has suspirado por algo que realmente deseas?"
"¿Cómo te sientes después de un largo suspiro?"
"¿Qué crees que expresa más un suspiro: tristeza o alivio?"
Journal Prompts
Describe un momento en el que sentiste la necesidad de suspirar profundamente. ¿Por qué suspiraste?
Piensa en alguien que conoces que suspira a menudo. ¿Qué crees que están sintiendo?
¿Cómo cambiaría tu día si suspiraras menos? ¿O más?
Escribe sobre una situación en la que un suspiro de alivio fue exactamente lo que necesitabas.
Reflexiona sobre cómo los suspiros pueden comunicar emociones sin palabras.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsGood question! While 'suspirar' involves breathing, it's not just any breath. It's a *long, deep, audible* breath that shows a strong emotion, like sadness or relief. Think of it as breathing with feeling, rather than just breathing to live.
Yes, you absolutely can. If someone is working hard and lets out a big breath because they're tired or putting in a lot of effort, 'suspirar' is appropriate. For example, 'Suspiró después de levantar la caja pesada.' (He sighed after lifting the heavy box.)
Not at all! While often associated with sadness, 'suspirar' is also very commonly used for sighs of relief. Imagine someone saying, 'Suspiró de alivio cuando vio que su hijo estaba bien.' (She sighed with relief when she saw her son was fine.)
The most common contexts are expressing sadness, relief, or sometimes exasperation. You'll hear it a lot when characters in stories or people in real life are feeling strong emotions.
Yes, a common one is 'suspirar por' something or someone, which means to long for or sigh for something/someone. For example, 'Suspiraba por sus vacaciones.' (She longed for her vacation.)
'Suspirar' is a regular -ar verb. Here's the present tense:
- Yo suspiro
- Tú suspiras
- Él/Ella/Usted suspira
- Nosotros/Nosotras suspiramos
- Vosotros/Vosotras suspiráis
- Ellos/Ellas/Ustedes suspiran
Yes, absolutely! You can definitely use it playfully or sarcastically. For instance, if someone is being overly dramatic, you might say, '¡Ay, no suspiras tan fuerte!' (Oh, don't sigh so loudly!) with a hint of humor.
Good distinction. 'Suspirar' is a slow, deep breath often expressing emotion. 'Jadear' means to pant or gasp, usually from exertion, fear, or difficulty breathing, and it's much quicker and often more shallow.
'Suspirar' is about a breath, a sigh. 'Gemir' means to groan or moan, which is a vocal sound of pain, distress, or pleasure. While both can express strong feelings, 'suspirar' is a breath, 'gemir' is a vocalization.
You might hear it if someone is:
- Relieved after a difficult task: 'Suspiró al terminar el examen.' (He sighed upon finishing the exam.)
- Feeling sad: 'Suspiró profundamente por la mala noticia.' (She sighed deeply at the bad news.)
- Longing for something: 'Suspiraba por un café caliente.' (He longed for a hot coffee.)
Test Yourself 162 questions
Ella ____ de alivio cuando encontró sus llaves. (She sighed with relief when she found her keys.)
The context 'de alivio' (of relief) indicates an action related to 'suspirar'. 'Suspiró' is the past tense of 'suspirar'.
Él ____ profundamente después de un día difícil. (He sighed deeply after a difficult day.)
The sentence describes a present action of sighing after a difficult day, so 'suspira' (he sighs) is the correct verb form.
Cuando vio la noticia, ella no pudo evitar ____. (When she saw the news, she couldn't help but sigh.)
The phrase 'no pudo evitar' (couldn't help but) is followed by an infinitive, so 'suspirar' is correct.
Los niños ____ cuando su juguete se rompió. (The children sighed when their toy broke.)
The context 'cuando su juguete se rompió' (when their toy broke) suggests a sad reaction, making 'suspiraron' (they sighed) appropriate.
Yo siempre ____ cuando tengo mucho trabajo. (I always sigh when I have a lot of work.)
The word 'siempre' (always) indicates a habitual action, so 'suspiro' (I sigh) is the correct present tense form.
Él ____ profundamente antes de dar la respuesta. (He sighed deeply before giving the answer.)
The action happened 'antes de dar la respuesta' (before giving the answer), indicating a past action. 'Suspiró' is the past tense of 'suspirar'.
Choose the best translation for 'suspirar'.
The verb 'suspirar' means to emit a long, deep breath, which is 'to sigh' in English.
Which sentence uses 'suspirar' correctly?
'Suspirar' is used to express emotions like joy or sadness. The other options don't make sense with the verb.
What emotion might someone express by 'suspirar'?
'Suspirar' is often associated with expressing sadness or relief.
You can 'suspirar' when you are happy.
Yes, 'suspirar' can express relief or happiness, not just sadness.
A cat can 'suspirar'.
'Suspirar' is a human action to express emotion. Animals do not 'suspirar' in the same way.
When you 'suspirar', you usually make a sound.
'Suspirar' involves an audible breath, so it usually makes a sound.
Write a short sentence about someone feeling happy and then sighing with relief. Use simple words.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ella está feliz. Ella suspira de alivio.
Imagine you are tired after a long day. Write a simple sentence using 'suspirar' to show your tiredness.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Yo estoy cansado. Yo suspiro.
Someone is sad. Write a sentence describing them sighing because they are sad.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Él está triste. Él suspira.
¿Por qué suspira Ana?
Read this passage:
Ana tiene un examen importante mañana. Ella estudia mucho. Después de estudiar por muchas horas, Ana suspira. Está cansada.
¿Por qué suspira Ana?
The passage states 'Está cansada,' which means 'She is tired.'
The passage states 'Está cansada,' which means 'She is tired.'
¿Qué siente el perro?
Read this passage:
El perro está en la casa. Su juguete favorito está debajo de la mesa. El perro no puede alcanzarlo. El perro suspira.
¿Qué siente el perro?
The dog cannot reach its toy, which causes frustration.
The dog cannot reach its toy, which causes frustration.
¿Por qué suspira María?
Read this passage:
María busca su libro. No lo encuentra. Después de buscar mucho, lo ve en la mesa. María sonríe y suspira.
¿Por qué suspira María?
She finds her book, which causes a sigh of relief.
She finds her book, which causes a sigh of relief.
This sentence means 'She sighs with relief.' The words are ordered to form a simple sentence.
This sentence means 'He always sighs when he is sad.' The words are ordered to form a complete sentence.
This sentence means 'I don't want to sigh today.' The words are ordered to form a negative sentence.
Ella _______ de alivio cuando encontró sus llaves.
The context implies relief, which aligns with 'suspirar'. (She sighed with relief when she found her keys.)
Después de un largo día, solo quería _______ y descansar.
When tired, one often sighs to express fatigue or a desire to rest. (After a long day, I just wanted to sigh and rest.)
Cuando le dio la mala noticia, ella no pudo evitar _______.
Bad news often causes someone to sigh, expressing sadness. (When he gave her the bad news, she couldn't help but sigh.)
El niño _______ profundamente antes de decir lo que pasó.
A deep breath before speaking can indicate hesitation or a need to gather thoughts, which aligns with 'suspirar'. (The child sighed deeply before saying what happened.)
Él siempre _______ cuando piensa en su país natal.
Thinking of one's homeland can evoke longing or sadness, leading to a sigh. (He always sighs when he thinks of his home country.)
Al final de la película triste, todos empezaron a _______.
A sad movie can cause people to sigh, expressing emotion. (At the end of the sad movie, everyone started to sigh.)
Which emotion is often associated with 'suspirar'?
To 'suspirar' often means to sigh due to sadness or relief, but sadness is a very common association.
If someone sighs 'con alivio', what are they feeling?
'Con alivio' means 'with relief'.
What is the English equivalent of 'suspirar'?
'Suspirar' directly translates to 'to sigh'.
You would typically 'suspirar' if you are very happy and excited.
While relief can bring a sense of calm, extreme happiness and excitement are not typically expressed with a sigh ('suspirar').
A common reason to 'suspirar' is after a difficult task is finally over.
Finishing a difficult task can bring relief, which is often expressed with a sigh ('suspirar').
When someone is bored, they might 'suspirar'.
Boredom can certainly lead to a sigh ('suspirar').
Pay attention to the feeling expressed by the sigh.
What is the man's emotional state?
Did the person sigh or not?
Read this aloud:
Cuando estoy cansado, siempre suspiro.
Focus: sus-pi-ro
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Ella suspiraba profundamente.
Focus: sus-pi-ra-ba
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Él suspiró antes de responder.
Focus: sus-pi-ró
You said:
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Write a short sentence in Spanish about someone sighing due to sadness.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
El niño suspiró porque estaba muy triste.
Write a short sentence in Spanish about someone sighing with relief.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ella suspiró de alivio cuando terminó el examen.
Imagine you lost something important and then found it. Write one sentence in Spanish expressing your reaction using 'suspirar'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
¡Uf! Suspiré de alivio al encontrar mi cartera.
¿Por qué suspiró María?
Read this passage:
María llegó a casa después de un día muy largo. Se sentó en el sofá y cerró los ojos. Suspiró profundamente. Necesitaba descansar.
¿Por qué suspiró María?
The passage says she had a very long day and needed to rest, which is why she sighed.
The passage says she had a very long day and needed to rest, which is why she sighed.
¿Qué emoción expresó Carlos al suspirar?
Read this passage:
Carlos estaba esperando los resultados de su examen. Estaba muy nervioso. Cuando vio que había aprobado, una sonrisa apareció en su cara y él suspiró.
¿Qué emoción expresó Carlos al suspirar?
He was nervous and then saw he passed, so his sigh indicated relief.
He was nervous and then saw he passed, so his sigh indicated relief.
¿Qué tipo de sentimiento está asociado con el suspiro de la abuela?
Read this passage:
La abuela miraba una foto antigua de su esposo. Tenía los ojos un poco húmedos y suspiró suavemente, recordando los buenos tiempos.
¿Qué tipo de sentimiento está asociado con el suspiro de la abuela?
She was looking at an old photo, had wet eyes, and sighed softly, indicating a feeling of nostalgia or sadness.
She was looking at an old photo, had wet eyes, and sighed softly, indicating a feeling of nostalgia or sadness.
This order correctly forms the sentence 'She sighed at the end.'
This order correctly forms the sentence 'He always sighs when he is tired.'
This order correctly forms the sentence 'I need to sigh to feel better.'
Después de correr un maratón, solo quería sentarme y ___ de alivio.
The context of finishing a marathon implies a feeling of relief, which aligns with 'suspirar'.
Cuando escuchó la mala noticia, no pudo evitar ___ profundamente.
Bad news often leads to a sigh of sadness or disappointment, making 'suspirar' the appropriate choice.
El niño perdió su juguete favorito y empezó a ___ tristemente.
Losing a favorite toy would cause sadness, expressed by 'suspirar'.
Al ver el hermoso paisaje, no pudo más que ___ de admiración.
A beautiful landscape can evoke a sigh of admiration or awe.
El estudiante terminó el examen y pudo ___ por fin.
Finishing an exam often brings a sigh of relief.
Después de un largo día de trabajo, solo quería llegar a casa y ___.
A long day of work often ends with a sigh of weariness or relief.
Choose the most appropriate synonym for 'suspirar'.
'Suspirar' specifically refers to emitting a long, deep breath, which is a form of exhaling. 'Respirar' is a general term for breathing. 'Inhalar' means to breathe in, and 'llorar' means to cry.
Which of these situations would most likely make someone 'suspirar' with relief?
Finishing a difficult task often brings a sense of relief, leading to a sigh. The other options describe situations that would cause distress, not relief.
Select the sentence where 'suspirar' is used correctly to express sadness.
The adverb 'tristemente' clearly indicates sadness. The other sentences express joy, physical exertion, or relief.
You would typically 'suspirar' if you are feeling very energetic and happy.
'Suspirar' is usually associated with feelings of sadness, relief, or sometimes longing, not typically high energy or simple happiness.
If someone 'suspira' after a long day of work, it is likely they are feeling tired or relieved.
A sigh after a long day often signifies exhaustion or relief that the day is over.
'Suspirar' always indicates a negative emotion.
'Suspirar' can express relief, which is generally a positive emotion, as well as sadness or longing, which can be seen as negative.
The speaker is expressing relief after a lot of work.
She is remembering past times.
The speaker saw something messy.
Read this aloud:
Cuando escuché la buena noticia, suspiré de alegría.
Focus: suspiré, alegría
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Él suspiró con frustración después de intentar resolver el problema por horas.
Focus: suspiró, frustración
You said:
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Read this aloud:
La actriz suspiró dramáticamente en la escena final.
Focus: actriz, dramáticamente
You said:
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This sentence describes someone sighing with relief after hearing good news. 'Suspiró' is the past tense of 'suspirar'.
This sentence describes someone sighing happily while watching the sunset. 'Suspirar de contento' means to sigh contentedly.
This sentence expresses the desire to sigh and relax after a long day of work. It uses 'suspirar' in its infinitive form.
Después de un largo día de trabajo, solo quería ___ y descansar.
The context implies a feeling of relief or tiredness after a long day, which aligns with 'suspirar'.
Al escuchar las malas noticias, ella no pudo evitar ___ profundamente.
Bad news often leads to a sigh of sadness or resignation, making 'suspirar' the appropriate choice.
El anciano se sentó en el banco y comenzó a ___ melancólicamente, recordando tiempos pasados.
Melancholy and remembering the past often involve sighing, so 'suspirar' fits the context.
Cuando finalmente encontró las llaves perdidas, dejó escapar un ___ de alivio.
The word 'suspiro' (noun form of suspirar) is used here to describe the sound of relief. 'Suspirar' is the verb.
Ella solo podía ___ ante la complejidad de la situación, sintiéndose impotente.
Feeling helpless in a complex situation often results in a sigh of resignation or frustration, which 'suspirar' conveys.
Después de terminar la agotadora tarea, él se permitió ___ profundamente antes de continuar.
Completing an exhausting task often brings a sense of relief, which is expressed by 'suspirar'.
Juan's reaction after effort.
The students' reaction to exam news.
Her common reaction when reminiscing.
Read this aloud:
¿Podrías suspirar como si estuvieras muy cansado después de un largo día?
Focus: sus-pi-rar
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Describe una situación en la que alguien podría suspirar de alivio.
Focus: suspirar de alivio
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Imagina que estás viendo una película triste. ¿Cómo suspirarías?
Focus: suspirar
You said:
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Describe a moment when you or someone you know felt great relief after a difficult situation. Use 'suspirar' to express that feeling.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Después de aprobar mi examen final, suspiré de alivio. Había estudiado mucho y el resultado fue una gran alegría. Mi amiga, cuando encontró su perro perdido, también suspiró profundamente.
Imagine you are writing a short story. A character in your story is feeling very sad. Write a sentence where the character 'suspira' due to their sadness.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Con los hombros caídos y la mirada perdida, la joven suspiró, sintiendo el peso de la tristeza en cada aliento.
You are explaining to a friend what 'suspirar' means. Write a brief explanation and give an example of its use in a sentence.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Suspirar significa tomar una respiración profunda y larga que a menudo indica alivio o tristeza. Por ejemplo, 'Cuando recibió la buena noticia, suspiró de alivio'.
¿Qué tipo de emoción expresa el suspiro del anciano?
Read this passage:
El anciano se sentó en el banco del parque, observando a los niños jugar. Un suspiro escapó de sus labios mientras recordaba su propia infancia. No era un suspiro de tristeza, sino de nostalgia por los tiempos pasados y la alegría simple que ahora veía en los pequeños.
¿Qué tipo de emoción expresa el suspiro del anciano?
El pasaje indica que el suspiro no era de tristeza, sino de nostalgia por la infancia y la alegría de los niños.
El pasaje indica que el suspiro no era de tristeza, sino de nostalgia por la infancia y la alegría de los niños.
¿Por qué suspiró María?
Read this passage:
Después de horas de búsqueda, finalmente encontraron las llaves perdidas debajo del sofá. María suspiró profundamente, sintiendo cómo la tensión abandonaba su cuerpo. La reunión importante estaba a punto de comenzar y no podía llegar tarde por esto.
¿Por qué suspiró María?
El texto dice que 'la tensión abandonaba su cuerpo', lo que indica alivio al encontrar las llaves.
El texto dice que 'la tensión abandonaba su cuerpo', lo que indica alivio al encontrar las llaves.
¿Cuál es la causa principal del suspiro de Carlos?
Read this passage:
Carlos había estado esperando los resultados de su operación durante días. Finalmente, el médico entró a la habitación con una sonrisa. 'Todo salió perfecto, Carlos', dijo. Carlos cerró los ojos y dejó escapar un largo suspiro, un peso enorme se levantó de su pecho.
¿Cuál es la causa principal del suspiro de Carlos?
El médico le dio buenas noticias ('Todo salió perfecto') y 'un peso enorme se levantó de su pecho', lo que indica alivio.
El médico le dio buenas noticias ('Todo salió perfecto') y 'un peso enorme se levantó de su pecho', lo que indica alivio.
This sentence describes the action of sighing out of relief. 'La niña' is the subject, 'suspiró' is the verb, and 'de alivio' specifies the reason for the sigh.
This sentence describes a habitual action of sighing. 'Él' is the subject, 'solía suspirar' indicates a past habit, and 'profundamente' describes the manner of sighing.
This sentence describes a collective sigh of exhaustion after a difficult activity. 'Todos' is the subject, 'suspiraron' is the verb, and 'exhaustos' describes their state.
Después de la larga espera, solo pudo ___ de alivio.
The context implies a deep breath of relief after a long wait, which perfectly matches 'suspirar'.
Al enterarse de la mala noticia, ella no pudo evitar ___ profundamente.
Hearing bad news often leads to a deep breath expressing sadness, making 'suspirar' the appropriate verb.
Cuando el tren finalmente llegó, todos los pasajeros comenzaron a ___.
After waiting for a train, passengers would likely breathe a sigh of relief, which is 'suspirar'.
La carga de trabajo era tan abrumadora que solo podía ___ de agotamiento al final del día.
Overwhelming workload leads to exhaustion, and expressing this with a deep breath is 'suspirar'.
Al ver las ruinas de su antigua casa, no pudo evitar ___ de tristeza.
Seeing the ruins of a former home evokes sadness, which is often expressed by 'suspirar'.
Después de terminar el examen, los estudiantes se relajaron y comenzaron a ___ de alivio.
Finishing an exam is a common situation for students to 'suspirar' with relief.
Choose the best synonym for 'suspirar' in the context of expressing profound sorrow.
'Exhalar profundamente' captures the essence of a deep breath often associated with 'suspirar' when expressing strong emotion, particularly sorrow. 'Llorar' (to cry) is a related but distinct action. 'Quejarse' (to complain) implies vocalization of discontent. 'Respirar ruidosamente' (to breathe noisily) is more about the sound of breathing than the emotional expression.
In which of the following scenarios would 'suspirar' most appropriately describe an action of relief?
Finishing an exhausting race often brings a sense of relief, leading one to 'suspirar'. Watching a sad movie might cause a sigh of sadness, not relief. Witnessing an injury would likely elicit concern or shock, not relief. Enjoying a meal is generally a pleasant experience, not one associated with 'suspirar' in relief.
Which sentence uses 'suspirar' incorrectly?
While one might sigh out of boredom or impatience, 'suspirar' often implies a more significant emotional expression of sadness or relief. Waiting for a bus, though potentially tedious, doesn't typically evoke the deep emotional response usually associated with 'suspirar'. The other options correctly use 'suspirar' to convey relief, sadness, or joy.
One can 'suspirar' both out of profound sadness and immense relief.
The definition explicitly states that 'suspirar' can express both sadness and relief, making this statement true.
If someone 'suspira' during a conversation, it always indicates that they are bored.
While a sigh might sometimes indicate boredom, it can also convey a wide range of other emotions such as sadness, weariness, or even subtle exasperation. Therefore, it's not always an indicator of boredom.
The act of 'suspirar' is always accompanied by spoken words.
'Suspirar' is the act of emitting a long, deep, audible breath, which is a non-verbal expression. It does not necessarily involve speaking words.
Focus on the emotion expressed by 'suspirar de alivio'.
Pay attention to how 'suspirar' is used to convey a delicate sound.
Notice the intensity of 'profundo suspirar'.
Read this aloud:
Después de revisar todos los documentos, suspiró profundamente.
Focus: suspiró
You said:
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Read this aloud:
No pude evitar suspirar de tristeza al ver la escena.
Focus: suspirar
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Ella suspiró y continuó su relato.
Focus: suspiró
You said:
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Describe a situation where someone might sigh with relief after a difficult or stressful event. Use 'suspirar' in your description.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Después de presentar su tesis doctoral, María no pudo evitar suspirar con alivio. Había pasado meses investigando y escribiendo, y finalmente, todo el esfuerzo había valido la pena. Se sentía liberada de una gran carga.
Imagine a character in a story who is feeling deeply saddened. Write a short paragraph describing their actions and feelings, including how they 'suspirar'.
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Sample answer
El viejo hombre se sentó en el banco del parque, mirando a la distancia. Suspiró profundamente, un sonido que llevaba el peso de años de melancolía. Su mirada perdida revelaba una tristeza que pocas palabras podían expresar.
Explain the difference between 'suspirar de alivio' and 'suspirar de tristeza'. Give an example for each.
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Sample answer
Suspirar de alivio ocurre cuando una persona se libera de una preocupación o un peligro, como al decir: 'Suspiré de alivio cuando el examen terminó'. Suspirar de tristeza, por otro lado, expresa pena o desilusión, por ejemplo: 'Ella suspiró con tristeza al recordar los viejos tiempos'.
¿Qué emoción se describe principalmente en la frase 'un colectivo suspirar de alivio llenó la sala'?
Read this passage:
El director, con el ceño fruncido, revisaba los informes finales. Los empleados esperaban con nerviosismo su veredicto. Cuando finalmente levantó la vista y anunció que el proyecto había sido un éxito rotundo, un colectivo suspirar de alivio llenó la sala. Las tensiones se disiparon al instante.
¿Qué emoción se describe principalmente en la frase 'un colectivo suspirar de alivio llenó la sala'?
La frase 'suspira de alivio' implica una sensación de relajación y liberación de estrés después de un momento de tensión.
La frase 'suspira de alivio' implica una sensación de relajación y liberación de estrés después de un momento de tensión.
¿Por qué el lector suspiró al final de la novela?
Read this passage:
A medida que la novela avanzaba, el protagonista enfrentaba una pérdida tras otra. Cada capítulo parecía traer una nueva pena. Al llegar a la última página, el lector no pudo evitar suspirar, no por la resolución de la trama, sino por la profunda melancolía que persistía.
¿Por qué el lector suspiró al final de la novela?
El pasaje menciona 'profunda melancolía que persistía', indicando que el suspiro fue por tristeza, no por alivio.
El pasaje menciona 'profunda melancolía que persistía', indicando que el suspiro fue por tristeza, no por alivio.
¿Qué combinó el suspiro de Isabel?
Read this passage:
Isabel había estado esperando el autobús durante casi una hora, bajo la lluvia. Empezaba a dudar si llegaría a tiempo a su cita. Justo cuando estaba a punto de rendirse, vio las luces del autobús a lo lejos. Un leve suspirar escapó de sus labios, una mezcla de exasperación y esperanza.
¿Qué combinó el suspiro de Isabel?
El texto dice 'una mezcla de exasperación y esperanza', que es la combinación correcta.
El texto dice 'una mezcla de exasperación y esperanza', que es la combinación correcta.
This sentence describes someone sighing deeply after passing an exam, which connects to the meaning of 'suspirar'.
This sentence shows 'suspirar' being used to express relief, aligning with one of its core meanings.
This sentence demonstrates 'suspirar' in the context of expressing sadness or longing, fitting the definition.
Tras la larga espera, solo pude ___ de alivio al ver los resultados.
The context of 'alivio' (relief) strongly suggests the act of 'suspirar' (to sigh) as the most appropriate verb.
Al recordar su infancia, la anciana no pudo evitar ___ profundamente.
Reflecting on childhood often brings a sense of nostalgia or sadness, making 'suspirar' (to sigh) a fitting reaction.
Después de la extenuante jornada de trabajo, todos en la oficina comenzaron a ___ de cansancio.
Physical exhaustion ('cansancio') is commonly expressed through sighs, hence 'suspirar' is the correct choice.
El público contuvo la respiración y luego, al finalizar el acto, se oyó un ___ colectivo.
Following a moment of tension or anticipation, a 'suspiro' (sigh) often indicates a release of emotion, such as relief or admiration. 'Aplauso' is also possible but 'suspiro' indicates a release of tension, which is common in a C2 context.
Con un ___ de resignación, aceptó la dura realidad de la situación.
A 'suspiro' (sigh) is a common way to express resignation or acceptance of an difficult situation, fitting the context perfectly.
Sentado en el banco del parque, el hombre no hacía más que ___ por un amor perdido.
Sighing is a frequent expression of longing or sadness for something or someone lost, making 'suspirar' the most suitable verb here.
Which of the following scenarios is LEAST likely to involve someone 'suspirar' (to sigh)?
While relief might be expressed, 'suspirar' usually implies a negative emotion like sadness or exasperation, or relief from a difficult situation. A perfect score is typically met with joy or satisfaction, not a sigh.
After hearing the devastating news, Elena could only 'suspirar' deeply. What emotion is most strongly conveyed by her action?
To sigh deeply after devastating news strongly suggests profound sorrow or grief, as 'suspirar' often expresses sadness or despair.
Which of these phrases correctly describes the act of 'suspirar' in a context of relief?
The phrase 'suspiro de alivio' directly translates to 'sigh of relief,' making it the most appropriate option for expressing relief.
If someone 'suspira' with joy, they are likely expressing overwhelming happiness.
While 'suspirar' can accompany strong emotions, it's generally associated with sadness, relief from stress, or weariness, not typically unadulterated joy. A joyful sigh would be a less common or idiomatic expression.
A person might 'suspirar' loudly to draw attention to their frustration.
A loud sigh can indeed be a non-verbal way of communicating frustration, exasperation, or impatience, often with the intention of being noticed.
The verb 'suspirar' can be used interchangeably with 'respirar' (to breathe) in any context.
'Suspirar' specifically means to sigh, indicating a long, deep breath often tied to emotion. 'Respirar' is the general act of breathing and does not carry the same emotional connotation.
The speaker is expressing relief after a long wait.
Someone is sighing deeply while reminiscing.
The person is sighing sadly.
Read this aloud:
Cuando finalmente vio la ayuda llegar, soltó un largo suspiro de pura liberación.
Focus: suspiro
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Ella acostumbraba a suspirar melancólicamente mientras contemplaba el atardecer.
Focus: melancólicamente
You said:
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Read this aloud:
Al terminar el proyecto, todos los miembros del equipo suspiraron al unísono, agotados pero satisfechos.
Focus: unísono
You said:
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Reflexiona sobre un momento en el que 'suspirar' fue tu única respuesta posible ante una situación. Describe el contexto y tus sentimientos con detalle, utilizando un vocabulario rico y estructuras gramaticales complejas para expresar la profundidad de la emoción. Incluye al menos una referencia figurativa a la acción de suspirar.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Recuerdo vívidamente aquella tarde gris. Había estado trabajando incansablemente durante meses en un proyecto, sintiendo el peso de las expectativas ajenas como una losa sobre mis hombros. Cuando finalmente recibí la confirmación de su aprobación, no hubo gritos de alegría ni euforia desbordante. Solo un largo y tembloroso suspiro, una exhalación que arrastraba consigo el cansancio acumulado, la tensión contenida y la casi incomprensible resignación de que, por fin, había terminado. Fue como si mi alma, agotada por la contienda, por fin pudiera tomar un respiro, un 'suspiro de aliento' en el sentido más literal y metafórico.
Escribe un breve pasaje narrativo (aproximadamente 100 palabras) donde el acto de suspirar de un personaje sea el punto de inflexión o la revelación clave de su estado emocional. No menciones explícitamente la palabra 'suspirar' en el primer párrafo; deja que el lector infiera la acción a través de la descripción de la reacción del personaje. Luego, en el segundo párrafo, contextualiza y elabora sobre el significado de ese aliento profundo.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Tras horas de espera agónica, el silencio en la sala de operaciones se rompió con un murmullo de la enfermera. Él, apoyado contra la pared fría, sintió cómo todo el aire acumulado en sus pulmones encontraba, por fin, una salida lenta y controlada. Sus hombros, tensos hasta entonces, se relajaron perceptiblemente. No fue un sonido audible para todos, pero para él, esa liberación del aliento contenido era el eco de una esperanza recién nacida, el fin de una agonía silenciosa. Cada fibra de su ser clamaba por el desenlace, y esa exhalación profunda era el umbral entre el terror y la calma, el alivio que desnudaba el miedo subyacente.
Imagina que eres un poeta. Escribe un poema corto (tres estrofas) sobre el acto de 'suspirar', explorando sus diferentes matices y las circunstancias que lo provocan. Utiliza metáforas y símiles complejos para enriquecer tu descripción. Tu poema debe evocar tanto la tristeza como el alivio que puede conllevar un suspiro.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Un hondo aliento, un eco en el vacío, que el alma exhala, liberando su letargo. Cansancio añejo, un peso desmedido, se escapa en tenue soplo, leve y amargo. Mas también surge, un rayo en la penumbra, cuando la espera cede, dulce y serena. Es la marea que, al fin, rompe la cumbre, un hálito de paz que el aire llena. Así, el suspiro, danza entre dolor y calma, un puente efímero, un latido que confiesa. Se eleva y pierde, caricia en la palma, la historia muda que la boca no expresa.
¿Qué implica el suspiro del anciano en este contexto?
Read this passage:
El anciano, sentado en el banco del parque, observaba a los niños jugar. Cada risa, cada grito de alegría, parecía acentuar la melancolía que se había arraigado en su corazón tras la pérdida de su esposa. De vez en cuando, un profundo suspiro escapaba de sus labios, un eco silencioso de los años vividos y de la soledad que ahora lo acompañaba. No era un suspiro de resignación amarga, sino uno cargado de recuerdos tiernos y de la dulce tristeza de la añoranza.
¿Qué implica el suspiro del anciano en este contexto?
El pasaje menciona que el suspiro está 'cargado de recuerdos tiernos y de la dulce tristeza de la añoranza', lo cual directamente apoya esta opción. Descarta el enojo y la impaciencia, y aunque hay una liberación, no es de una 'carga' sino de una emoción compleja.
El pasaje menciona que el suspiro está 'cargado de recuerdos tiernos y de la dulce tristeza de la añoranza', lo cual directamente apoya esta opción. Descarta el enojo y la impaciencia, y aunque hay una liberación, no es de una 'carga' sino de una emoción compleja.
¿Cuál es el propósito principal del suspiro de la médica?
Read this passage:
Después de un turno de doce horas en el hospital, la joven médica se dejó caer en el sofá. El peso de las responsabilidades, las decisiones difíciles y la constante presión había sido abrumador. Cerró los ojos y un suspiro largo y audible se liberó de su pecho, llevando consigo no solo el aire, sino también la tensión acumulada de un día agotador. Era un suspiro de pura descarga, una necesidad fisiológica y emocional de soltar lo insoportable.
¿Cuál es el propósito principal del suspiro de la médica?
El pasaje describe el suspiro como una liberación de la 'tensión acumulada de un día agotador' y una 'necesidad fisiológica y emocional de soltar lo insoportable', lo que apunta claramente al alivio del cansancio.
El pasaje describe el suspiro como una liberación de la 'tensión acumulada de un día agotador' y una 'necesidad fisiológica y emocional de soltar lo insoportable', lo que apunta claramente al alivio del cansancio.
¿Qué revela el suspiro de la detective sobre su estado?
Read this passage:
La detective Pérez revisó de nuevo el expediente. Cada pista conducía a un callejón sin salida, cada interrogatorio arrojaba más dudas que certezas. Finalmente, al leer una nota al pie de página que había pasado por alto, un detalle insignificante cobró un nuevo significado. Un suspiro, casi inaudible, escapó de sus labios. No era un lamento, sino la confirmación silenciosa de que las piezas del rompecabezas estaban empezando a encajar, un anticipo de la resolución inminente.
¿Qué revela el suspiro de la detective sobre su estado?
El texto dice que el suspiro fue la 'confirmación silenciosa de que las piezas del rompecabezas estaban empezando a encajar, un anticipo de la resolución inminente', lo que indica un avance significativo en la investigación.
El texto dice que el suspiro fue la 'confirmación silenciosa de que las piezas del rompecabezas estaban empezando a encajar, un anticipo de la resolución inminente', lo que indica un avance significativo en la investigación.
This sentence structure emphasizes the immediate reaction of sighing in relief after hearing about success, a common and natural response in C2 level Spanish.
This arrangement reflects a sophisticated description of an emotional response to art, showcasing complex feelings that are pertinent at a C2 level.
This sentence order effectively builds suspense and then reveals the character's true feelings through the act of sighing, a nuanced expression ideal for C2 comprehension.
/ 162 correct
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Summary
Suspirar means to sigh, indicating feelings like sadness, relief, or tiredness.
- Breathe out loudly.
- Express sadness or relief with a breath.
- A long, deep breath.
Suspirar is NOT 'to sigh'
It's easy to directly translate suspirar as 'to sigh'. However, suspirar has a slightly deeper and more emotional meaning. It implies a more dramatic breath, often indicating a deeper emotion like sadness or relief, rather than just a casual sigh.
Practice with emotions
Think about situations where you would sigh with emotion. For example, 'Suspiró de alivio cuando vio que su hijo estaba bien' (She sighed with relief when she saw her son was okay). Or 'Suspiró con tristeza al recordar a su abuela' (He sighed with sadness remembering his grandmother).
Listen for it in songs
Many Spanish romantic songs use suspirar to express longing or sadness. Pay attention to the lyrics and see if you can catch it. It will help you understand the emotional nuance. For instance, 'Por ti mi alma suspira' (For you my soul longs/sighs).
Conjugate it
Like any verb, you'll need to know how to conjugate suspirar. It's a regular -ar verb. Practice conjugating it in the present tense: yo suspiro, tú suspiras, él/ella/usted suspira, nosotros/as suspiramos, vosotros/as suspiráis, ellos/ellas/ustedes suspiran. Practice saying 'Yo suspiro cuando estoy cansado' (I sigh when I'm tired).
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
a diferencia de
B1Unlike; in contrast to.
abatido
B1Feeling or showing great sadness or discouragement; dejected.
abatimiento
B2State of being low in spirits; dejection or depression.
abatir
B1To make someone feel dejected or disheartened.
abierto/a de mente
B2Open-minded; willing to consider new ideas; unprejudiced.
aborrecer
B1To regard with disgust and hatred; to loathe.
abrazar
A1To put one's arms around someone as a sign of affection.
abrazo
A1An act of holding someone closely in one's arms; a hug.
abrumador
B1Overpowering; very great or intense.
abrumar
B1To overwhelm (someone) with a large amount of something.
