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呼吸する

A2 verb #3,000 most common 8 min read

呼吸する

kokyuusuru Top 3,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 呼吸する in 30 Seconds

Explanation 呼吸する in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn the most basic form of breathing: 'iki o suru' (to breathe). However, you might encounter 'kokyū suru' in very simple health contexts or instructions. At this stage, focus on the fact that breathing is a 'suru' verb. You can use it to say 'I breathe' or 'He is breathing.' It is a fundamental life function. Think of it as a vocabulary word you might see in a picture book about the body. You don't need to worry about the complex kanji yet, just the sound 'kokyū.' You might hear it in a gym class or a basic yoga video where the instructor says 'kokyū shite!' (Breathe!). It is important to know that this is a formal word, but the action is something everyone does every second. Just remember: Kokyū = Breath + Suru = Do. This makes it 'To do breathing.' Simple sentences like 'Watashi wa kokyū suru' (I breathe) are grammatically correct, even if a bit robotic for daily life. It is a good building block for learning how Japanese verbs work.

At the A2 level, you begin to use 'kokyū suru' in more descriptive ways. You can add adverbs to describe how someone is breathing. For example, 'fukaku kokyū suru' (breathe deeply) or 'yukkuri kokyū suru' (breathe slowly). This is useful for describing your feelings or physical state. If you are stressed, you can say you are trying to breathe slowly to calm down. You will also start to see the kanji 呼吸. The first kanji 呼 means 'to call' or 'exhale,' and the second 吸 means 'to suck' or 'inhale.' Understanding this helps you remember that breathing is a two-way process. You might use this word when talking about exercise or hobbies like swimming. In swimming, 'kokyū suru' is a key skill. You can also use the negative form 'kokyū shinai' (don't breathe) when talking about holding your breath underwater. This level is about moving beyond just the word and starting to use it in basic survival or hobby-related conversations.

At the B1 level, you should be comfortable using 'kokyū suru' in professional or semi-formal settings. You will encounter it in medical contexts, such as at a doctor's office or in a health article. You can explain symptoms, like 'kokyū ga kurushii' (breathing is difficult), although 'iki' is still common here too. You will also learn the metaphorical use of 'kokyū,' such as 'kokyū o awaseru' (to synchronize with someone). This is very important for understanding Japanese teamwork culture. You might use it to describe how a band plays together or how a sports team moves. You will also start to notice 'kokyū' in compound words like 'shinkokyū' (deep breath). At this level, you should understand the nuance that 'kokyū suru' sounds more 'scientific' or 'deliberate' than 'iki o suru.' You might read an article about the environment and see how 'mori ga kokyū suru' (the forest breathes), which adds a poetic but still somewhat technical layer to your vocabulary.

At the B2 level, 'kokyū suru' becomes a tool for discussing biology, psychology, and complex social interactions. You can talk about the 'respiration' of plants (kōgōsei to kokyū - photosynthesis and respiration) or the physiological effects of stress on breathing patterns. You will understand how breathing techniques are used in traditional Japanese arts like 'Zazen' (Zen meditation) or 'Budō' (martial arts). You can discuss the nuances of 'un-un no kokyū' (a perfectly synchronized relationship, often between two people who know each other very well). Your use of the word will extend to describing the 'breathing' of an economy or the 'breath' of a historical era. You should be able to distinguish between 'kokyū' as a biological function and 'kokyū' as a rhythmic timing in performance. This level requires you to use the word accurately in essays or formal presentations about health, nature, or Japanese culture.

At the C1 level, you use 'kokyū suru' with a high degree of precision and literary flair. You can appreciate its use in classic literature or modern philosophy to describe the essence of life or the rhythm of the universe. You might encounter phrases like 'uchū no kokyū' (the breath of the universe). You are expected to understand the historical development of the term and its connection to the concept of 'Ki' (vital energy). You can use it to critique a performance, noting that the 'kokyū' of the actors was slightly off, or to describe the architectural design of a 'breathing' building that uses natural ventilation. Your vocabulary will include specialized terms like 'fukushiki kokyū' (abdominal breathing) and 'kyōshiki kokyū' (thoracic breathing). At this level, you are not just using a verb; you are discussing a fundamental concept that bridges the gap between the physical body and the spiritual or social world.

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'kokyū suru' is indistinguishable from a native speaker with a deep background in linguistics or the arts. You can engage in technical debates about respiratory physiology or the aesthetics of 'kokyū' in Noh theater or Kabuki. You understand the most obscure idioms and historical references related to breath. You can use the word to describe the subtlest shifts in atmosphere or 'ma' (space/timing) in a high-stakes negotiation. You might analyze how the word 'kokyū' has evolved in modern Japanese compared to its origins in classical Chinese texts. You can write poetry or academic papers where 'kokyū' serves as a central metaphor for existence, connectivity, and the cyclical nature of time. Your understanding is holistic, encompassing the biological, the metaphorical, the technical, and the spiritual dimensions of the word.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

呼吸する in 30 Seconds

A formal verb for 'to breathe' (respiration).
Consists of 'Ko' (exhale) and 'Kyu' (inhale).
Common in medical, athletic, and spiritual contexts.
Can metaphorically mean 'timing' or 'synchronization'.

The Japanese verb 呼吸する (kokyū suru) is a formal and technical way to describe the physiological act of breathing or respiration. While the casual equivalent iki o suru is used for everyday breathing, kokyū suru carries a weight of consciousness, biological process, or systematic technique. It is composed of two kanji characters: 呼 (ko), which means to call out or exhale, and 吸 (kyū), which means to suck in or inhale. Together, they represent the complete cycle of life-sustaining air exchange. In a biological sense, it refers to the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, but in a cultural sense, it is deeply tied to martial arts, meditation, and performing arts where 'breath control' is paramount.

Technical Nuance: Used primarily in medical, scientific, or athletic contexts to describe the mechanism of breathing.
Conscious Action: Implies a deliberate focus on the breath, such as during yoga or deep concentration.

人間は無意識のうちに呼吸する生き物だ。 (Humans are creatures that breathe unconsciously.)

In Japanese culture, the concept of breathing extends beyond biology into the realm of 'Ki' (energy). When a person is said to be 'breathing' in a specific way in traditional arts like Kendo or Tea Ceremony, it refers to their spiritual alignment and timing. You will often hear this word in sports gyms when an instructor tells you to 'breathe out' (kokyū o haku) during a strenuous movement. It is also used metaphorically to describe a city or a building that 'breathes' through its ventilation or its flow of people, suggesting a living, pulsing entity. The verb is a 'suru' verb, meaning it combines the noun 'kokyū' (respiration) with the functional verb 'suru' (to do).

深く呼吸することで、心を落ち着かせることができます。 (By breathing deeply, you can calm your mind.)

Metaphorical Use: Describes the 'breathing' of the earth or the rhythm of a community.

Understanding the difference between the two kanji is also helpful. 'Ko' (呼) is the act of exhaling, which is often prioritized in Japanese breathing techniques (you must empty the lungs before you can fill them). 'Kyū' (吸) is the inhalation. This order—exhale then inhale—is reflected in the word itself, emphasizing the importance of the out-breath in maintaining physiological balance and focus.

Using 呼吸する correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as an intransitive verb. It does not usually take a direct object (you don't 'breathe' something in the same way you 'eat' something, though you can use particles to describe how or where you breathe). For example, you use the particle 'de' to indicate the location (mori de kokyū suru - breathe in the forest) or 'to' to indicate breathing together with someone (aite to kokyū o awaseru - to synchronize breathing with a partner).

水泳では、正しいタイミングで呼吸することが難しい。 (In swimming, it is difficult to breathe at the correct timing.)

When describing the quality of the breath, adverbs are frequently employed. Common adverbs include 'fukaku' (deeply), 'yukkuri' (slowly), and 'asaku' (shallowly). In medical contexts, you might hear 'kurushisō ni kokyū suru' (to breathe as if in pain/distress). Because it is a suru-verb, it is highly versatile and can be conjugated into the continuous form 'kokyū shite iru' (is breathing) to describe an ongoing state.

Common Adverbs: Fukaku (Deeply), Asaku (Shallowly), Hageshiku (Violently/Heavily).

彼は激しく呼吸しながら走ってきた。 (He came running while breathing heavily.)

Furthermore, the word is used in the phrase 'kokyū o awaseru,' which literally means 'to match breathing' but idiomatically means to work in perfect synchronization with someone else. This is common in sports, music, and business. It suggests a level of harmony that goes beyond mere verbal communication, where two entities are moving as one.

チーム全員で呼吸を合わせて、ボートを漕ぐ。 (The whole team synchronizes their breathing and rows the boat.)

You will encounter 呼吸する in a variety of settings ranging from the clinical to the spiritual. In a hospital or clinic, a doctor might say 'fukaku kokyū shite kudasai' (please breathe deeply) while using a stethoscope. In this context, it is the standard professional term. Similarly, in health-related news reports or documentaries about biology, you will hear it used to describe the respiration of animals, plants, and even bacteria.

医者は患者に「はい、深く呼吸して」と言った。 (The doctor said to the patient, 'Okay, breathe deeply.')

Another very common place to hear this word is in the world of anime and manga, particularly in the 'battle shonen' genre. Series like 'Demon Slayer' (Kimetsu no Yaiba) have popularized the term 'Zenshūchū no Kokyū' (Total Concentration Breathing). While this is a fictionalized use, it draws on the real-world Japanese emphasis on breathing techniques in martial arts like Kendo, Aikido, and Karate. In these dojos, instructors will constantly remind students to 'kokyū o tomenai' (don't stop breathing) during intense training.

Yoga and Mindfulness: Instructors use it to guide students through 'Pranayama' or 'Zen' breathing exercises.

In business and professional sports, 'kokyū' is used to describe the 'tempo' or 'rhythm' of an interaction. You might hear a commentator say that two players have a 'perfect kokyū,' meaning their timing and mutual understanding are flawless. This abstract use of 'breathing' to mean 'timing' is a uniquely Japanese linguistic trait that you will hear in high-level analysis of teamwork.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is using 呼吸する in casual, everyday situations where iki o suru would be more natural. For example, if you are out of breath after running, saying 'kokyū ga tsurai' (breathing is painful/difficult) sounds like a medical diagnosis, whereas 'iki ga kireru' (to be out of breath) or 'iki ga kurushii' is what a native speaker would say in the heat of the moment. Kokyū suru is a bit too 'stiff' for casual conversation about physical exertion.

× 走った後で、呼吸するのが大変だ。 (Sounds like a textbook.)
○ 走った後で、息が切れている。 (Natural: I'm out of breath.)

Another mistake involves the confusion between 'breathing' and 'gasping.' Learners sometimes use kokyū suru when they mean aegu (to gasp/pant). While kokyū suru covers the general action, it doesn't convey the sound or the struggle of gasping. Additionally, learners often forget that kokyū is a noun. You can say 'kokyū o suru' (to do breathing) or simply 'kokyū suru.' Both are correct, but the latter is more common as a verb form.

Particle Errors: Using 'o' with 'kokyū suru' as if it's a transitive verb (e.g., 'kūki o kokyū suru') is technically possible but rare; 'kūki o suu' (inhale air) is much more natural.

Finally, don't confuse kokyū suru with kyūshū suru (to absorb). They sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear, but they are completely different actions. Kokyū is about air, while kyūshū is about liquids, knowledge, or nutrients. Always check the kanji: 呼吸 vs 吸収.

When you want to talk about breathing in Japanese, you have several options depending on the level of formality and the specific aspect of breathing you want to emphasize. The most common alternative is 息をする (iki o suru). This is the universal, everyday term. If you tell a child to breathe, you use iki. If you are talking about someone being alive, you say they are still iki o shite iru.

息をする (Iki o suru): General, casual, focuses on the physical breath itself.
深呼吸する (Shinkokyū suru): To take a deep breath. Used specifically for relaxation or before a doctor's exam.

緊張をほぐすために、大きく深呼吸した。 (I took a big deep breath to ease my tension.)

For more specific actions, you have 吸い込む (suikomu), which means to inhale deeply or suck in air/smoke, and 吐き出す (hakidasu), which means to exhale or spit out. In a medical or biological context, you might encounter 人工呼吸 (jinkō kokyū), which means artificial respiration or CPR. Another interesting term is 一息つく (hitoiki tsuku), which means to take a breather or a short rest, often after finishing a difficult task.

In literature or poetic contexts, you might see 息吹 (ibuki), which means 'breath' but in a metaphorical sense, like the 'breath of spring' (haru no ibuki). This conveys the feeling of new life or a fresh breeze. Understanding these nuances allows you to choose the word that best fits the 'kokyū' (rhythm and atmosphere) of your conversation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In ancient philosophy, the 'out-breath' was associated with the end of things and the 'in-breath' with the beginning, together representing the totality of existence.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kɒkjuː sɯᵝɾɯ/

US /koʊkjuː sɯᵝɾu/

Japanese is a pitch-accent language. In 'kokyū', the pitch starts low on 'ko' and rises on 'kyū'.

Rhymes With

hakyū (spread) dakkyū (dislocation) tokyū (pitching) chōkyū (super grade) kyūkyū (emergency) fukyū (diffusion) shokyū (beginner level) jōkyū (advanced level)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kyu' as 'ku'. It must have the 'y' sound like 'queue'.
Making the 'u' in 'suru' too strong. It is often devoiced in natural speech.
Confusing the pitch accent with English stress.
Missing the long vowel in 'kyū'.
Pronouncing 'r' in 'suru' like an English 'r' instead of a Japanese flap.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are slightly complex but common in health contexts.

Writing 4/5

Writing the kanji 呼吸 requires practice with stroke order.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce if you remember the long vowel 'ū'.

Listening 2/5

Distinctive sound, though can be confused with 'kyūshū'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

息 (iki) する (suru) 吸う (suu) 吐く (haku) 体 (karada)

Learn Next

脈拍 (myakuhaku - pulse) 心臓 (shinzō - heart) 酸素 (sanso - oxygen) 健康 (kenkō - health) 瞑想 (meisō - meditation)

Advanced

肺活量 (haikatsuryō - lung capacity) 無酸素運動 (musanso undō - anaerobic exercise) 有酸素運動 (yūsanso undō - aerobic exercise) 気管支 (kikanshi - bronchial tubes) 代謝 (taisha - metabolism)

Grammar to Know

Suru-verbs

呼吸する、勉強する、散歩する。

Adverbs with Verbs

深く呼吸する、静かに歩く。

Potential Form

ここでは呼吸できない (Cannot breathe here).

Continuous Form

赤ちゃんが呼吸している (The baby is breathing).

Nominalization with Koto

呼吸することは生きることだ。

Examples by Level

私は呼吸する。

I breathe.

Subject + Particle 'wa' + Verb.

赤ちゃんが呼吸しています。

The baby is breathing.

Present continuous form 'shite imasu'.

ここで呼吸してください。

Please breathe here.

Request form 'shite kudasai'.

犬も呼吸する。

Dogs also breathe.

Particle 'mo' means 'also'.

ゆっくり呼吸します。

I breathe slowly.

Adverb 'yukkuri' comes before the verb.

彼は呼吸を止めた。

He stopped breathing.

Past tense 'tometa' (stopped).

鼻で呼吸する。

Breathe through the nose.

Particle 'de' indicates the means/method.

口で呼吸しないで。

Don't breathe through your mouth.

Negative request 'shinaide'.

走った後で、速く呼吸する。

After running, I breathe fast.

Adverb 'hayaku' (fast).

森の中で深く呼吸すると気持ちがいい。

It feels good to breathe deeply in the forest.

Conditional 'to' (if/when).

水泳の時は上手に呼吸しなければならない。

You must breathe skillfully when swimming.

Must form 'nakereba naranai'.

ヨガでは呼吸することが大切です。

In yoga, breathing is important.

Gerund 'koto' makes the verb a noun.

彼は苦しそうに呼吸していた。

He was breathing as if in pain.

'Sō ni' means 'looking like' or 'as if'.

緊張したら、ゆっくり呼吸してください。

If you get nervous, please breathe slowly.

Conditional 'tara'.

魚はエラで呼吸する。

Fish breathe with gills.

Specific biological terminology.

寝ている間も、私たちは呼吸している。

Even while sleeping, we are breathing.

'Aida' means 'while' or 'during'.

高山では酸素が薄く、呼吸するのが難しい。

In high mountains, oxygen is thin, making it hard to breathe.

Reasoning with 'shi' or 'node' implied.

植物は二酸化炭素を吸って、呼吸している。

Plants take in carbon dioxide and are respiring.

Describing biological process.

二人の呼吸がぴったり合っている。

The breathing (timing) of the two is perfectly synchronized.

Idiomatic use for synchronization.

医者は私の胸の音を聞きながら、「呼吸して」と言った。

The doctor said 'breathe' while listening to my chest.

'Nagara' means 'while doing'.

都会の空気は汚れていて、呼吸しにくい。

The city air is dirty and hard to breathe.

Suffix 'nikui' means 'hard to do'.

彼は深呼吸して、ステージに上がった。

He took a deep breath and went up on stage.

Compound verb 'shinkokyū'.

人工呼吸器のおかげで、彼は生きている。

He is alive thanks to the ventilator (artificial respirator).

Noun compound 'jinkō kokyūki'.

恐怖で呼吸が止まりそうになった。

My breath almost stopped from fear.

'Sō ni naru' means 'almost happened'.

この建物は自然の風を利用して呼吸するように設計されている。

This building is designed to 'breathe' using natural wind.

Metaphorical use in architecture.

激しい運動の後は、呼吸を整えることが必要だ。

After intense exercise, it is necessary to steady one's breath.

'Toganoeru' means 'to adjust' or 'to steady'.

ストレスが溜まると、呼吸が浅くなりがちだ。

When stress accumulates, breathing tends to become shallow.

'Gachi' indicates a negative tendency.

座禅では、正しい姿勢で呼吸することが基本とされる。

In Zazen, breathing with correct posture is considered fundamental.

Passive form 'sareru'.

そのピアニストは、曲のリズムに合わせて呼吸していた。

The pianist was breathing in time with the rhythm of the piece.

Describing artistic synchronization.

細胞呼吸によって、体内のエネルギーが作られる。

Energy in the body is produced through cellular respiration.

Scientific term 'saibō kokyū'.

彼は一瞬、呼吸するのも忘れるほどその美しさに驚いた。

For a moment, he was so surprised by the beauty that he forgot to breathe.

'Hodo' indicates degree.

冬の冷たい空気の中で、自分の呼吸が白く見えた。

In the cold winter air, I could see my breath turn white.

Describing a physical phenomenon.

伝統芸能においては、演者同士の呼吸の読み合いが重要だ。

In traditional performing arts, reading each other's 'breathing' (timing) is crucial.

Abstract use of timing.

地球全体がひとつの生命体として呼吸しているという説がある。

There is a theory that the entire Earth breathes as a single living organism.

Gaia hypothesis context.

その詩は、まるで言葉が呼吸しているかのような躍動感に満ちていた。

The poem was full of a sense of dynamism, as if the words themselves were breathing.

'Ka no yō na' (as if).

政治家は世論の呼吸を敏感に感じ取らなければならない。

Politicians must sensitively sense the 'breathing' (mood/pulse) of public opinion.

Metaphorical use for public sentiment.

彼は長年の修行により、独自の呼吸法を会得した。

Through years of training, he mastered a unique breathing method.

Formal term 'kokyūhō'.

静寂の中で、自分の心臓の音と呼吸だけが聞こえていた。

In the silence, I could hear only my heartbeat and my breathing.

Creating atmosphere.

この小説の文体は、独特の呼吸を持っていて心地よい。

The writing style of this novel has a unique 'breath' (rhythm) and is pleasant.

Literary criticism context.

呼吸を整えることは、精神を統一するための第一歩である。

Steadying the breath is the first step toward unifying the mind.

Philosophical statement.

万象が宇宙の摂理に従って呼吸し、流転していく。

All things in creation breathe and fluctuate according to the providence of the universe.

Highly formal/philosophical language.

師匠と弟子の間には、阿吽の呼吸というべき絶妙な間合いが存在した。

Between the master and the disciple, there existed an exquisite timing that could only be called 'A-un no kokyū'.

Idiom 'A-un no kokyū'.

呼吸器系の疾患が社会全体の公衆衛生に及ぼす影響は甚大である。

The impact of respiratory system diseases on public health as a whole is immense.

Academic/Formal register.

生命の本質は、この絶え間ない呼吸の循環の中にこそ宿っている。

The essence of life resides precisely within this ceaseless cycle of breathing.

Existential philosophy.

その建築家は、都市が呼吸するための空間を『肺』と呼んだ。

The architect called the spaces that allow the city to breathe 'lungs'.

Metaphorical urban planning.

深海生物の特殊な呼吸メカニズムは、未だ多くの謎に包まれている。

The specialized breathing mechanisms of deep-sea creatures remain shrouded in many mysteries.

Scientific mystery.

彼は死の淵にあっても、なお力強く呼吸しようとしていた。

Even on the brink of death, he was still trying to breathe powerfully.

Literary narrative.

文化とは、人々が共に呼吸し、作り上げていく無形の遺産である。

Culture is an intangible heritage that people breathe together and create.

Sociological definition.

Common Collocations

深く呼吸する

激しく呼吸する

呼吸を整える

呼吸が止まる

呼吸を合わせる

呼吸困難

呼吸器

腹式呼吸

胸式呼吸

細胞呼吸

Common Phrases

呼吸を乱す

— To have one's breathing rhythm disrupted, often by shock or exertion.

敵の攻撃に呼吸を乱された。

呼吸が荒い

— To be breathing heavily or roughly.

風邪をひいて呼吸が荒くなっている。

呼吸を呑む

— To be so surprised that you momentarily stop breathing.

絶景を前にして呼吸を呑んだ。

呼吸が長い

— To have a long, steady breath, often associated with mastery in martial arts.

あの剣士は呼吸が長く、疲れを知らない。

呼吸を盗む

— To take a quick breath in a gap, especially in singing or wind instruments.

長いフレーズの間で呼吸を盗む。

呼吸が浅い

— To breathe shallowly, often due to stress or nervousness.

緊張すると呼吸が浅くなる。

呼吸の間

— The timing or interval between breaths; the rhythm of an action.

呼吸の間を読んで攻撃する。

自然な呼吸

— Natural, unforced breathing.

自然な呼吸を意識してください。

呼吸を殺す

— To hold one's breath and stay silent to avoid being noticed.

物陰で呼吸を殺して隠れる。

呼吸を継ぐ

— To take the next breath; to continue a process.

なんとか呼吸を継いで走りきった。

Often Confused With

呼吸する vs 故郷 (Kokyō)

Sounds similar but means 'hometown'. Pay attention to the 'u' vs 'o' at the end.

呼吸する vs 吸収 (Kyūshū)

Means 'absorption'. It shares one kanji (吸) but the first kanji and meaning are different.

呼吸する vs 高級 (Kōkyū)

Means 'high class' or 'luxury'. The pitch and kanji are completely different.

Idioms & Expressions

"阿吽の呼吸"

— Perfect synchronization between two people working together without words.

彼らは阿吽の呼吸で仕事をこなす。

Formal/Literary

"呼吸を合わせる"

— To coordinate perfectly with others.

チームで呼吸を合わせることが勝利の鍵だ。

Neutral

"呼吸を呑む"

— To be speechless with amazement (variation of 'iki o nomu').

その美しさに思わず呼吸を呑んだ。

Literary

"呼吸を整える"

— To calm oneself down or get ready for the next action.

スピーチの前に呼吸を整えた。

Neutral

"呼吸を知る"

— To understand the 'knack' or 'rhythm' of how to do something.

仕事の呼吸を知るまでは大変だ。

Neutral

"呼吸を殺す"

— To be extremely quiet and still.

忍者は天井裏で呼吸を殺していた。

Literary

"呼吸を乱す"

— To lose one's composure or rhythm.

予期せぬ質問に呼吸を乱した。

Neutral

"呼吸一つ"

— With a single breath; with a single decisive action.

呼吸一つで勝負が決まる。

Formal

"呼吸を繋ぐ"

— To barely manage to continue or survive.

借金で苦しいが、なんとか呼吸を繋いでいる。

Metaphorical

"一息に"

— In one breath; all at once.

彼はビールを一息に飲み干した。

Casual

Easily Confused

呼吸する vs 息 (Iki)

Both mean breath/breathing.

'Iki' is the noun for the breath itself; 'Kokyū' is the system or act of respiration. 'Iki' is casual, 'Kokyū' is formal.

息が臭い (Bad breath) vs 呼吸器疾患 (Respiratory disease).

呼吸する vs 喘ぐ (Aegu)

Both involve breathing.

'Aegu' specifically means to struggle for air or pant.

苦しくて喘いでいる。

呼吸する vs 吸う (Suu)

Related to breathing.

'Suu' is just the inhale part or sucking something.

たばこを吸う (Smoke a cigarette).

呼吸する vs 吐く (Haku)

Related to breathing.

'Haku' is just the exhale part or vomiting.

空気を吐く。

呼吸する vs ため息 (Tameiki)

Involves breath.

This specifically means a 'sigh'.

ため息をつく。

Sentence Patterns

[Subject] は呼吸する。

私は呼吸する。

[Adverb] 呼吸してください。

ゆっくり呼吸してください。

[Reason] から、呼吸しにくい。

空気が薄いから、呼吸しにくい。

[Activity] のために呼吸を整える。

次のレースのために呼吸を整える。

[Person] と呼吸を合わせる。

パートナーと呼吸を合わせる。

まるで [Noun] が呼吸しているかのようだ。

まるで街が呼吸しているかのようだ。

[Technique] を用いて呼吸する。

腹式呼吸を用いて呼吸する。

[Abstract Concept] の呼吸を感じる。

時代の呼吸を感じる。

Word Family

Nouns

呼吸 (kokyū) - Respiration

呼吸器 (kokyūki) - Respiratory organ

呼吸法 (kokyūhō) - Breathing method

深呼吸 (shinkokyū) - Deep breath

Verbs

呼吸する (kokyū suru) - To breathe

息をする (iki o suru) - To breathe (casual)

酸素 (sanso) - Oxygen

二酸化炭素 (nisankatanso) - Carbon dioxide

肺 (hai) - Lungs

空気 (kūki) - Air

生命 (seimei) - Life

How to Use It

frequency

Common in specific domains (health, sports, literature) but less frequent than 'iki' in daily conversation.

Common Mistakes

Using 'kokyū suru' for bad breath. → Iki ga kusai (息が臭い).
You cannot use 'kokyū' to describe the smell of breath; 'iki' is the physical air.
Saying 'kūki o kokyū suru' (breathing air). → Kūki o suu (空気を吸う).
While technically okay, native speakers use 'suu' (inhale) when mentioning 'air' specifically.
Confusing 'kokyū' with 'kokyō'. → Kokyū (breathing) vs Kokyō (hometown).
This is a common listening error. Focus on the final vowel sound.
Using 'kokyū' when you are out of breath. → Iki ga kireru (息が切れる).
'Kokyū' is too technical for the feeling of being winded after a run.
Writing the kanji 呼吸 with the wrong radicals. → Both start with the mouth radical 口.
Learners often forget the mouth radical since the right sides are complex.

Tips

Suru-Verb Nature

Remember that 'kokyū' can be used as a noun on its own. 'Kokyū ga tomaru' means 'breathing stops.' Adding 'suru' makes it the action.

A-un no Kokyū

This is a great idiom to learn. It describes the perfect 'sync' between two people, like a long-married couple or veteran teammates.

Long Vowel

Don't forget the long 'ū' at the end of 'kyū'. If you say 'kokyu' without the long vowel, it sounds clipped and unnatural.

Medical Use

If you go to a Japanese doctor, they will almost certainly use 'kokyū' when checking your lungs. 'Fukaku kokyū shite kudasai' is a key phrase.

Nature Metaphors

Japanese literature often describes nature as 'breathing.' This word adds a poetic depth to your descriptions of the environment.

Kanji Breakdown

呼 (Exhale) + 吸 (Inhale). Thinking of it as 'Out-In' helps you remember the order of the characters.

Sports Tip

In sports, 'kokyū o整える' (toganoeru) is used instead of 'iki o totonoeru' to sound more professional about recovery.

Stroke Order

Both kanji have the 'mouth' radical (口) on the left. This makes them easy to identify as related to mouth actions.

Synchronization

When working in a group, saying 'kokyū o awasete ikimashō' (let's match our breathing/timing) is a polite way to encourage teamwork.

Memory Hook

Think of 'CO-respiration' for 'KO-kyū'. They both start with a 'KO/CO' sound and relate to breathing.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'KO-ala' exhaling (KO) and then 'KYU-te' (cute) baby sucking in air (KYU). KO-KYU is the cycle!

Visual Association

Visualize a pair of lungs expanding and contracting like a bellows. The air goes out (KO) and in (KYU).

Word Web

Lungs Oxygen Yoga Life Air Meditation Suru-verb Synchronization

Challenge

Try to use 'kokyū suru' instead of 'iki o suru' three times today when describing exercise or relaxation.

Word Origin

The word comes from Middle Chinese roots. 'Ko' (呼) originally depicted a mouth calling out, and 'Kyū' (吸) depicted a mouth sucking in air or liquid.

Original meaning: The balanced cycle of exhaling and inhaling.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

No specific sensitivities, but be careful using it in serious medical contexts if you are not sure of the symptoms.

In English, we often say 'take a breath' or 'breathe,' but we rarely use 'respire' in casual talk. 'Kokyū suru' is similar to 'respire' in its technicality but more common than 'respire' in health/meditation contexts.

Demon Slayer (Kimetsu no Yaiba) - Breathing styles (Mizu no Kokyū, etc.) Zazen meditation manuals Traditional Noh theater 'Ma' concepts

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

深く呼吸してください。
呼吸が苦しいです。
呼吸の音を聞きます。
人工呼吸が必要です。

Yoga/Meditation Class

鼻から呼吸しましょう。
呼吸に意識を向けてください。
ゆっくり呼吸を吐き出します。
自然な呼吸を続けて。

Sports/Gym

呼吸を止めないで！
動きに合わせて呼吸する。
呼吸を整えてから次へ。
正しい呼吸法が大事。

Biology Class

植物も呼吸しています。
細胞呼吸の仕組み。
魚は水中で呼吸する。
酸素を取り入れて呼吸する。

Martial Arts (Dojo)

相手と呼吸を合わせる。
呼吸で力をコントロールする。
強い呼吸を意識する。
呼吸の乱れは心の乱れ。

Conversation Starters

"緊張したとき、どうやって呼吸を整えますか？"

"ヨガの呼吸法について知っていますか？"

"水泳で呼吸するのが苦手なのですが、コツはありますか？"

"都会の空気で呼吸するのは体に悪いと思いますか？"

"最近、深く呼吸することを意識していますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日、森や公園で深く呼吸した時の気分を書いてください。

あなたが「阿吽の呼吸」で動ける相手は誰ですか？その理由も。

忙しい毎日の中で、呼吸を整える時間はありますか？

「呼吸するように嘘をつく」という表現についてどう思いますか？

健康のために、どのような呼吸法を試してみたいですか？

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, it is used for all living organisms in a biological context, from humans to insects and even plants.

Yes, 'kokyū o awaseru' is commonly used in video games or sports to mean getting in sync with your teammates.

'Iki o suru' is like 'to breathe' in English daily life. 'Kokyū suru' is like 'to respire' or 'to perform breathing techniques.' Use 'iki' for bad breath or being out of breath.

The most common way is 'shinkokyū' (深呼吸). You can say 'shinkokyū suru' to mean 'take a deep breath.'

The 'styles' are fictional, but the emphasis on breathing techniques to improve physical performance is based on real Japanese martial arts principles.

Only metaphorically. A building might 'breathe' through its design, or a city might 'breathe' at night.

It is intransitive, so it doesn't take 'o' for air. Use 'de' for location (mori de) or 'de' for method (hana de).

It is written as 呼吸. The first kanji has 8 strokes and the second has 6 strokes.

No, that is 'kokyō' (故郷). They sound similar but are different words.

Yes, 'kokyūki' (respiratory organs) and 'kokyū fuzen' (respiratory failure) are standard medical terms.