This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

Home
Learn
Japanese
Vocabulary
ため息をつく

B1 verb #5,000 most common 9 min read

ため息をつく

tameiki o tsuku Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips ため息をつく in 30 Seconds

Explanation ため息をつく in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku) as a single block of meaning. Don't worry too much about the complicated grammar of the verb 'tsuku' yet. Just think of it as the Japanese way to say 'to sigh.' A sigh is the sound you make when you are sad or tired, like 'Haa...'

You can use this when you are tired from studying or when you lose a game. For example: 'I am tired. (Sigh).' In Japanese, you would say: 'Tsukaremashita. (Tameiki o tsuita).' It's a very useful word because everyone sighs sometimes! Just remember the word ため息 (tameiki) and the action つく (tsuku).

At the A2 level, you can start using ため息をつく in simple sentences with particles. You should know that 'tameiki' is the object, so we use the particle を (o). You can also use the past tense ついた (tsuita) or the polite form つきます (tsukimasu).

Try to use it with reasons. For example, 'Because there is a lot of homework, I sigh' (Shukudai ga takusan aru kara, tameiki o tsukimasu). This level is about connecting the action of sighing to a specific cause. You might also hear it in simple anime scenes. Remember, don't say 'tameiki o shimasu'—that is a common mistake for beginners!

At the B1 level, you should understand the different nuances of ため息をつく. It's not just for sadness; it's also for relief (ando) and admiration. You should be comfortable using adverbs like fukaku (deeply) or omowazu (unintentionally) to describe how someone sighs.

You should also be aware of the phrase tameiki ga deru. While tameiki o tsuku is something you do, tameiki ga deru is something that happens. For example, if you see a beautiful sunset, you might say 'Tameiki ga deru hodo kirei' (So beautiful that a sigh comes out). This level is about nuance and natural flow.

At the B2 level, you can use ため息をつく in more complex grammatical structures, such as the causative-passive or conditional. You should also understand the cultural implications, like the saying 'Tameiki o tsuku to shiawase ga nigeru' (If you sigh, happiness escapes). This shows you understand not just the language, but the Japanese mindset.

You can also use the phrase in professional contexts, perhaps describing the atmosphere of a meeting or the reaction of a client. You should be able to distinguish between 'tameiki' and more formal words like 'tansoku.' Your usage should be varied and contextually appropriate, reflecting a deeper grasp of Japanese social dynamics.

At the C1 level, you should be able to appreciate ため息をつく in classical and modern literature. You'll notice how authors use sighing as a literary device to show character depth or to set a melancholic tone. You should also be familiar with related idioms and more obscure kanji variations like 溜息.

Your ability to use the word should extend to abstract discussions. For example, you might discuss the 'collective sigh' of a generation or use the phrase in a debate about workplace stress. You understand that sighing is a non-verbal communication tool that can convey subtle social cues, and you can interpret these cues accurately in high-level listening and reading tasks.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of ため息をつく and all its synonyms. You can use it with perfect timing in any register, from slang to highly formal speech. You might even use it ironically or to achieve specific rhetorical effects in your writing.

You are also aware of the historical etymology of the word and how its usage has evolved over centuries. You can analyze the difference between a 'tameiki' in a Heian-period poem and a modern-day tweet. Your understanding is holistic, encompassing linguistics, culture, history, and psychology. You don't just know the word; you feel its weight in every context.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

ため息をつく in 30 Seconds

ため息をつく means 'to sigh' in Japanese, covering emotions from sadness to relief.
It is a fixed phrase using the verb 'tsuku' (to emit), never 'suru'.
Commonly used in daily life, anime, and literature to show internal feelings.
Culturally, excessive sighing is sometimes avoided as it's said to 'chase away happiness'.

The Japanese expression ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku) is a multi-faceted verb phrase that translates primarily to 'to sigh.' However, its usage in Japanese culture and language is deeply tied to the physical manifestation of internal emotional states. Unlike a simple breath out, a tameiki is often heavy with meaning, conveying everything from the crushing weight of disappointment to the light, airy release of relief. The verb tsuku (吐く/付く) in this context refers to the act of emitting or breathing out, similar to how one might 'tell' a lie (uso o tsuku) or 'emit' a breath.

Emotional Range: In Japanese, sighing is not just a physiological response; it is a communicative act. It is used when one is tired (tsukareta), worried (shimpai), or even when admiring something beautiful (mi-torete tameiki o tsuku). The nuance changes based on the preceding adverb or the situation.
Social Context: In social settings, sighing can be seen as slightly negative. There is a common Japanese superstition that says 'If you sigh, happiness escapes' (tameiki o tsuku to shiawase ga nigeru). Therefore, while common, people often try to suppress deep sighs in professional or formal environments to avoid dampening the 'wa' or harmony of the group.

仕事が山積みで、ついため息をついてしまった。
— (With a mountain of work, I accidentally let out a sigh.)

The phrase is composed of ため息 (tameiki), which is the noun for 'sigh,' and the particle を (o), followed by the verb つく (tsuku). It is important to note that while 'suru' (to do) might seem like a logical verb for learners, it is almost never used with 'tameiki' in standard Japanese. 'Tsuku' is the fixed collocation that gives the phrase its natural flavor.

彼女の美しさに、思わずため息をついた。
— (I unintentionally sighed at her beauty.)

In literature and manga, this phrase is frequently used to show a character's internal struggle. It acts as a bridge between the character's thoughts and their physical presence. It is a 'silent' dialogue that speaks volumes about their current state of mind. Whether it's a student looking at a bad test score or a salaryman missing his last train, the tameiki is the universal signifier of 'yareyare' (good grief).

Physicality: The act involves a deep inhalation followed by a long, often audible exhalation. In Japanese onomatopoeia, this is often represented as 'fū' or 'hā'.

「はぁ...」と大きなため息をつく。
— (To let out a big sigh, 'Haa...')

Ultimately, mastering tameiki o tsuku allows you to describe human emotion in a way that is subtle yet deeply relatable. It is one of those essential 'state of being' verbs that moves your Japanese from textbook-perfect to emotionally resonant.

Using ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku) correctly requires an understanding of Japanese verb conjugation and particle usage. As a Class 1 (Godan) verb ending in -ku, it follows standard patterns for past, negative, and polite forms. The focus here is not just on the grammar, but on the adverbs and auxiliary verbs that often accompany it to provide nuance.

Common Adverbial Pairings

深く (Fukaku): Deeply. Used for profound sadness or exhaustion.
思わず (Omowazu): Unintentionally/Spontaneously. Used when a sigh escapes without you meaning it to.
何度も (Nando mo): Many times. Indicates repeated frustration or worry.
静かに (Shizuka ni): Quietly. Often used in romantic or contemplative settings.

彼は窓の外を見ながら、深くため息をついた。
— (He sighed deeply while looking out the window.)

When describing the reason for the sigh, the particle に (ni) or the structure 〜て (te-form) is typically used. For example, 'sighing at the news' would be nyūsu ni tameiki o tsuku. If the reason is an action, you might say shippai shite tameiki o tsuku (sighing because of a failure).

Grammatical Variations

Potential: ため息をつける (Can sigh - rarely used).
Passive: ため息をつかれる (To have someone sigh at you - implies you did something annoying).
Causative: ため息をつかせる (To make someone sigh).

そんなに何度もため息をつかないでください。
— (Please don't sigh so many times.)

あまりの美しさに、ただため息をつくばかりだった。
— (I could do nothing but sigh at the sheer beauty.)

In formal writing, you might see 嘆息する (tansoku suru), but in daily conversation, movies, and literature, tameiki o tsuku is the king of expressions. It is versatile enough to be used by children and adults alike, though the reasons for their sighs will differ greatly. By practicing the different tenses—tsuku, tsuita, tsuite iru—you can accurately describe the timing and duration of the emotional release.

You will encounter ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku) in almost every corner of Japanese daily life and media. It is a staple of emotional storytelling. In Anime and Manga, it is often accompanied by a visual cue: a small white cloud or bubble coming out of the character's mouth. This visual shorthand makes the phrase extremely recognizable to fans of Japanese pop culture.

In the Workplace: Salarymen often 'tameiki o tsuku' after a long meeting or when looking at a difficult spreadsheet. It’s a way of venting stress without using words. You might hear a colleague say, 'Kachō ga zutto tameiki o tsuite iru ne' (The section manager has been sighing the whole time, hasn't he?), which signals a tense atmosphere.
In Romance and Dramas: In Japanese 'dorama,' a character might sigh while looking at a photo of a loved one or after a difficult breakup. Here, the sigh represents 'setsunai' (bittersweet/painful) feelings. It's a tool for actors to convey depth without a monologue.

「はぁ...また残業か」とため息をつく。
— (Sighing, 'Haa... overtime again?')

Music lyrics are another rich source. Many J-Pop ballads feature lyrics about 'sighing in the city lights' or 'a sigh that disappears into the cold air.' It’s a poetic way to express loneliness or yearning. Because the phrase is three words long, it fits easily into the rhythmic structures of Japanese songs.

テストの結果を見て、母がため息をついた。
— (My mother sighed after seeing my test results.)

In news broadcasts or documentaries, you might hear it used figuratively. For example, 'The nation sighed in relief' (kokumin ga ando no tameiki o tsuita) after a major crisis was averted. This shows the phrase's transition from an individual physical act to a collective emotional state. Whether in the quiet of a bedroom or the bustle of a Tokyo station, the sound of a sigh and the phrase tameiki o tsuku are ever-present.

Even intermediate learners often stumble when using ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku). The most common error is choosing the wrong verb. Because 'tameiki' is a noun, many students default to suru (to do) or iu (to say).

Mistake 1: Using 'Suru': Incorrect: ため息をする. While 'suru' works for many Japanese nouns, 'tameiki' is almost exclusively paired with 'tsuku'. Using 'suru' sounds unnatural and 'foreign' to native ears.
Mistake 2: Confusing with 'Iki o haku': Incorrect: 息を吐く (to exhale) when you mean to sigh. While a sigh is an exhalation, 'iki o haku' is a biological description or used in sports/meditation. 'Tameiki' specifically implies the emotional weight.

❌ ため息をした。
✅ ため息をついた。

Another mistake involves the particle usage. Some learners use ga when they mean o. As mentioned earlier, tameiki ga deru is a valid phrase, but it has a different nuance (the sigh 'comes out' versus you 'emitting' it). If you are describing someone's intentional reaction, use o tsuku.

Finally, learners often forget the 'happiness escapes' cultural nuance. Using tameiki o tsuku too often in your own speech might make you sound overly pessimistic or even rude to your Japanese interlocutors. It’s important to match the frequency of your 'sighs' to the gravity of the situation. Don't sigh over a small mistake like dropping a pen; save it for the big stuff!

❌ 幸せが逃げるから、ため息をしないで！
✅ 幸せが逃げるから、ため息をつかないで！

By avoiding these common pitfalls—specifically the 'suru' trap and the 'iki o haku' confusion—you will sound much more like a native speaker. Pay attention to how the verb 'tsuku' is used in other idiomatic expressions as well, as this will help solidify your understanding of its 'emission' meaning.

While ため息をつく (tameiki o tsuku) is the most common way to say 'to sigh,' Japanese offers several alternatives depending on the intensity and nature of the emotion. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the exact 'flavor' of sigh for your context.

嘆息する (Tansoku suru): This is a formal, academic, or literary version of sighing. It often implies a deep lament or grief. You'll see this in novels or news reports about tragic events. It is much 'heavier' than a standard tameiki.
吐息 (Toiki): This refers more to the 'breath' itself, often a soft or long breath. It is frequently used in romantic or poetic contexts. Unlike tameiki, which can be negative, toiki is often neutral or even sensual.
溜息 (Tameiki - Kanji variant): Sometimes written with the kanji 溜 (to accumulate). This emphasizes the breath that was 'held' or 'accumulated' before being released. It's the same word, just a different kanji focus.

彼はその光景に深く嘆息した。
— (He lamented/sighed deeply at the sight.)

There are also phrases that describe the result of the sigh. For instance, 溜飲が下がる (Ryūin ga sagaru) means to feel relieved or satisfied after venting frustration, though it's more idiomatic. If you want to describe someone who is constantly sighing and looking down, you might use the adjective 物憂げ (monou-ge), meaning listless or melancholic.

窓に吐息を吹きかける。
— (To blow one's breath/sigh onto the window.)

In summary, while tameiki o tsuku is your 'go-to' phrase, keep an eye out for tansoku in books and toiki in songs. Each adds a specific layer of sophistication to your Japanese vocabulary, allowing you to describe the human experience with greater precision.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The verb 'tsuku' used here is the same root as 'to vomit' or 'to tell a lie,' all relating to something coming out of the mouth.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /tameiki o tsuku/

US /tameiki o tsuku/

Japanese is pitch-accented. 'Tameiki' typically has a low-high-high-high-high pattern (Heiban), and 'tsuku' is usually Atamadaka or Heiban depending on the region.

Rhymes With

kiku (to listen) haku (to vomit/exhale) fuku (to blow) aku (to open) oku (to put) kaku (to write) saku (to bloom) maku (to sow)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'tsu' as 'su'.
Over-emphasizing the 'o' particle.
Making the 'u' in 'tsuku' too long.
Stress-accenting syllables like English.
Mispronouncing 'ei' in 'tameiki' as two separate vowels instead of a long 'e'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji for 'tameiki' can be tricky, but it's often in hiragana.

Writing 3/5

Remembering 'tsuku' instead of 'suru' is the main challenge.

Speaking 2/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires cultural awareness of when to use it.

Listening 2/5

Very common in media; easy to pick out.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

息 (iki - breath) つく (tsuku - to emit/put) を (o - particle) 悲しい (kanashii - sad) 疲れる (tsukareru - to get tired)

Learn Next

嘆く (nageku - to lament) 呼吸する (kokyuu suru - to breathe) 安堵 (ando - relief) 失望 (shitsubou - disappointment) 物憂い (monoui - listless)

Advanced

溜飲を下げる (ryuuin o sageru) 慨嘆 (gaitan) 吐息 (toiki) 閉塞感 (heisokukan)

Grammar to Know

Verb Collocations with 'Tsuku'

嘘をつく (tell a lie), ため息をつく (sigh).

The 'Meiwaku' Passive

上司にため息をつかれた (The boss sighed at me, which was annoying).

Adverbial usage of -ku

深くため息をつく (Sigh deeply).

Te-form for Cause

疲れてため息をついた (Sighed because I was tired).

Nominalization with 'No'

ため息をつくのは良くない (Sighing is not good).

Examples by Level

ため息をつく。

I sigh.

Present tense.

彼はため息をついた。

He sighed.

Past tense (-ta form).

ため息をつかないで。

Don't sigh.

Negative request (-naide).

大きなため息をつく。

To let out a big sigh.

Adjective 'ookina' modifying the noun.

母はため息をつきました。

My mother sighed (polite).

Polite past tense (-mashita).

どうしてため息をつくの？

Why do you sigh?

Question form with 'no'.

つかれてため息をつく。

To sigh because of being tired.

Te-form for reason.

一回だけため息をついた。

I sighed just once.

Counter 'ikkai'.

テストが難しくて、ため息をついた。

The test was hard, so I sighed.

Reasoning with -te form.

またため息をついているね。

You're sighing again, aren't you?

Continuous form -te iru.

彼は悲しそうにため息をついた。

He sighed sadly.

Adverbial 'kanashisou ni'.

仕事が終わって、ため息をついた。

Work finished, and I sighed (relief).

Sequence of actions.

そんなにため息をつかないでください。

Please don't sigh so much.

Polite negative request.

彼女は小さくため息をついた。

She gave a small sigh.

Adverbial 'chiisaku'.

財布を忘れて、ため息をついた。

I forgot my wallet and sighed.

Te-form for cause.

みんながため息をついている。

Everyone is sighing.

Plural subject with -te iru.

思わず深くため息をついてしまった。

I unintentionally ended up sighing deeply.

Adverbs 'omowazu' and 'fukaku' with -shimau.

安心のため息をつく。

To breathe a sigh of relief.

Noun phrase 'anshin no'.

彼女のわがままに、彼はため息をつくばかりだ。

He does nothing but sigh at her selfishness.

Structure 'bakari da'.

美しい景色を見て、ため息をついた。

Seeing the beautiful scenery, I sighed (in awe).

Te-form for reason.

何度もため息をつくのは、悩みがあるからだ。

Sighing many times is because there is a worry.

Nominalized clause with 'no wa'.

彼は黙ってため息をついた。

He sighed in silence.

Adverbial 'damatte'.

失敗を思い出して、ついため息をつく。

Remembering a failure, I accidentally sigh.

Te-form and 'tsui'.

隣の人がため息をつくのが聞こえた。

I heard the person next to me sigh.

Perception verb with 'no ga kikoeta'.

幸せが逃げると言われるので、ため息をつかないようにしている。

Since it's said happiness escapes, I try not to sigh.

Structure 'you ni shite iru'.

上司にため息をつかれて、落ち込んだ。

My boss sighed at me, and I felt depressed.

Suffering passive (meiwaku no ukemi).

あまりの忙しさに、ため息をつく暇もない。

I'm so busy I don't even have time to sigh.

Structure 'hima mo nai'.

彼はあきらめたように、深くため息をついた。

As if he had given up, he sighed deeply.

Structure 'you ni'.

期待外れの結果に、観客は一斉にため息をついた。

At the disappointing result, the audience sighed all at once.

Adverbial 'issei ni'.

ため息をつくたびに、運が落ちる気がする。

Every time I sigh, I feel like my luck is dropping.

Structure 'tabi ni'.

彼女は窓の外の雪を眺めながら、物憂げにため息をついた。

While gazing at the snow outside, she sighed listlessly.

Simultaneous action -nagara.

そのニュースを聞いて、日本中が安堵のため息をついた。

Hearing that news, all of Japan sighed in relief.

Metaphorical usage.

彼の不甲斐なさに、周囲はため息をつくしかなかった。

Those around him could do nothing but sigh at his lack of spirit.

Structure 'shika nakatta'.

絶望の淵に立たされ、彼は重いため息をついた。

Pushed to the brink of despair, he let out a heavy sigh.

Metaphorical adjective 'omoi'.

その政治家の失言に対し、国民は冷ややかなため息をついた。

The public gave a cold sigh at the politician's slip of the tongue.

Adjective 'hiyayaka na'.

古びた手紙を読み返し、彼女は追憶のため息をついた。

Re-reading the old letter, she sighed in reminiscence.

Noun phrase 'tsuioku no'.

現代社会の閉塞感に、多くの若者がため息をついている。

Many young people are sighing at the sense of stagnation in modern society.

Abstract subject/context.

彼は自らの過ちを悟り、悔恨のため息をついた。

Realizing his own mistake, he sighed in regret.

Formal noun 'kaikon'.

あまりの完成度の高さに、専門家たちもため息をつくばかりだった。

The level of perfection was so high that even experts could only sigh.

Structure 'bakari datta'.

静寂の中に、彼のつくため息だけが響いていた。

In the silence, only the sigh he let out echoed.

Relative clause 'kare no tsuku'.

人生の不条理を前にして、彼は哲学的とも言えるため息をついた。

Faced with the absurdity of life, he let out what could be called a philosophical sigh.

Complex modifier 'tomo ieru'.

その詩は、都会の孤独が生んだ、かすかなため息をつくような調べだった。

That poem had a melody like a faint sigh born of urban loneliness.

Metaphorical description.

彼は運命を甘受し、静かに最後のため息をついた。

He accepted his fate and quietly drew his last breath/sigh.

Euphemistic usage.

虚飾に満ちた言説に対し、彼女は軽蔑を含んだため息をついた。

She gave a sigh full of contempt for the discourse full of ostentation.

Relative clause with 'fukunda'.

時代の変遷を目の当たりにし、老学者は慨嘆のため息をついた。

Witnessing the transition of the eras, the old scholar sighed in lamentation.

High-level kanji 'gaitan'.

それは諦念とも、あるいは微かな希望とも取れるため息だった。

It was a sigh that could be taken as resignation, or perhaps a faint hope.

Philosophical ambiguity.

言葉にできない万感の思いを、彼は一筋のため息に託した。

He entrusted a myriad of unspeakable emotions to a single sigh.

Literary verb 'takushita'.

文明の崩壊を前に、神ですらため息をつくのではないだろうか。

Faced with the collapse of civilization, wouldn't even God let out a sigh?

Hypothetical rhetorical question.

Common Collocations

深くため息をつく

安堵のため息をつく

思わずため息をつく

何度もため息をつく

重いため息をつく

静かにため息をつく

小さいため息をつく

悲しげにため息をつく

あきらめてため息をつく

幸せが逃げるからため息をつくな

Common Phrases

ため息をつく暇もない

— To be extremely busy, having no time even for a single sigh.

今日は仕事が忙しくてため息をつく暇もなかった。

ため息をつくばかり

— To be able to do nothing but sigh; to be in a state of constant sighing.

彼の成績の悪さには、ため息をつくばかりだ。

安堵のため息

— A sigh of relief after a period of tension.

無事が確認され、安堵のため息をついた。

ため息をつくような...

— Used as an adjective to describe something breathtakingly beautiful or sad.

ため息をつくような美しい夕焼けだ。

つい、ため息をつく

— To sigh unintentionally or by habit.

疲れていると、つい、ため息をついてしまう。

ため息をつきながら

— Doing something while sighing.

彼はため息をつきながら、荷物をまとめた。

ため息をつかせる

— To make someone sigh (often due to disappointment).

彼の態度は周囲にため息をつかせる。

ため息をつかれる

— To have someone sigh at you (implies you are annoying them).

母にため息をつかれて、バツが悪かった。

大きなため息

— A loud or deep sigh.

部屋中に聞こえるような大きなため息をついた。

最後のため息

— A final sigh (often literary or euphemistic for death).

彼は静かに最後のため息をついた。

Often Confused With

ため息をつく vs ため息をする (tameiki o suru)

Grammatically incorrect but common mistake for learners. Always use 'tsuku'.

ため息をつく vs 息を吐く (iki o haku)

Refers to the physical act of exhaling, lacking the emotional nuance of a sigh.

ため息をつく vs あくびをする (akubi o suru)

To yawn. Sometimes confused by beginners because both involve the mouth and tiredness.

Idioms & Expressions

"ため息をつくと幸せが逃げる"

— A common superstition that sighing brings bad luck or chases away happiness.

そんなにため息をつかないで。幸せが逃げちゃうよ。

Informal/Daily

"ため息が出るほど"

— To such an extent that it makes one sigh (usually with beauty or shock).

彼女はため息が出るほど美しい。

Neutral

"息を吐くように嘘をつく"

— To lie as naturally as one breathes (related to the verb 'tsuku').

彼は息を吐くように嘘をつく男だ。

Informal/Critical

"安堵の吐息"

— Similar to 'ando no tameiki', but slightly more poetic.

ようやく安堵の吐息を漏らした。

Literary

"嘆息の至り"

— Extremely regrettable or lamentable.

このような結果になり、嘆息の至りです。

Very Formal

"溜飲を下げる"

— To feel satisfied after getting something off one's chest.

文句を言って、ようやく溜飲を下げた。

Idiomatic

"肩を落としてため息をつく"

— To sigh while drooping one's shoulders (showing extreme disappointment).

不合格通知を見て、彼は肩を落としてため息をついた。

Neutral

"空を仰いでため息をつく"

— To look up at the sky and sigh (showing contemplation or despair).

彼は空を仰いで、深くため息をついた。

Literary

"胸をなでおろす"

— To feel relieved (often happens alongside a sigh).

無事だと知って、胸をなでおろした。

Idiomatic

"物言えば唇寒し秋の風"

— Sometimes speaking leads to regret, similar to the silence after a sigh.

余計なことを言って後悔し、ため息をつく。

Literary/Proverb

Easily Confused

ため息をつく vs ため息 (Tameiki)

Noun vs Verb

Tameiki is just the sigh itself; 'tameiki o tsuku' is the act of sighing.

大きなたため息だね。

ため息をつく vs 嘆息 (Tansoku)

Synonym

Tansoku is much more formal and usually implies deep grief or lamentation rather than simple tiredness.

事態の悪化に嘆息する。

ため息をつく vs 吐息 (Toiki)

Synonym

Toiki focuses on the breath itself and is often used in romantic or poetic contexts.

熱い吐息を感じる。

ため息をつく vs 息切れ (Ikigire)

Related to breath

Ikigire means being out of breath (shortness of breath) from exercise.

階段を上って息切れする。

ため息をつく vs 一息 (Hitoiki)

Related to breath

Hitoiki means a 'pause' or 'a breath of rest.'

ここらで一息つこう。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun] + をつく

ため息をつく。

[Reason (Te-form)] + ため息をつく

負けてため息をついた。

[Adverb] + ため息をつく

深くため息をついた。

[Noun] + のため息をつく

安堵のため息をつく。

〜たびに、ため息をつく

思い出すたびに、ため息をつく。

〜にため息をつかれる

先生にため息をつかれた。

〜てばかりでため息をつく

失敗してばかりでため息をつく。

〜とも取れるため息をつく

諦念とも取れるため息をつく。

Word Family

Nouns

ため息 (tameiki - sigh)

吐息 (toiki - long breath)

嘆息 (tansoku - lamentation)

Verbs

つく (tsuku - to emit/breathe)

吐く (haku - to breathe out)

漏らす (morasu - to leak/let out)

Adjectives

物憂い (monoui - listless)

切ない (setsunai - bittersweet)

呼吸 (kokyuu - breathing)

深呼吸 (shinkokyuu - deep breath)

安堵 (ando - relief)

失望 (shitsubou - disappointment)

絶望 (zetsubou - despair)

How to Use It

frequency

Very High in daily life and media.

Common Mistakes

ため息をする (Tameiki o suru) → ため息をつく (Tameiki o tsuku)
Japanese uses specific 'light verbs' for certain actions. 'Tsuku' is the only natural choice for sighing.
ため息を言う (Tameiki o iu) → ため息をつく (Tameiki o tsuku)
Even though a sigh makes a sound, you don't 'say' it. You 'emit' it.
Using 'tameiki' for a gasp. → 息を呑む (Iki o nomu)
A sigh is breathing out; a gasp is breathing in quickly in surprise.
ため息を吐く (Tameiki o haku) → ため息をつく (Tameiki o tsuku)
While 'haku' means to exhale, it sounds more like vomiting or medical breathing in this context.
Sighing loudly to show agreement. → 相槌を打つ (Aizuchi o utsu)
Sighing shows disappointment, not agreement. Use 'un un' or 'sou desu ne' instead.

Tips

Verb Choice

Always pair 'tameiki' with 'tsuku'. Think of it as 'emitting' a sigh like you 'emit' a lie (uso o tsuku).

Social Harmony

Be mindful of sighing in groups. It can be seen as 'ki o sageru' (lowering the energy/mood) of the room.

Relief vs Sadness

Add 'ando no' before 'tameiki' to specify a sigh of relief. Without it, people often assume you're sad or tired.

Spontaneity

Use 'omowazu' (unintentionally) to describe those sighs that just slip out when you aren't looking.

Visual Cues

When you see a character with a little white puff of air near their mouth, they are 'tameiki o tsuite iru'.

The 'Tsuku' Sound

Keep the 'u' at the end of 'tsuku' very short. In many dialects, it's almost silent: 'tsuk'.

Kanji vs Kana

Stick to ため息 (kana + kanji) for most situations. It's the most readable and standard version.

Happiness Rule

Remember the 'happiness escapes' rule to understand why Japanese people might tell you not to sigh.

Context Clues

If you hear 'haa...' in a conversation, the speaker is sighing. You can respond by asking 'Dou shita no?' (What's wrong?).

Busy Phrases

Learn 'tameiki o tsuku hima mo nai' to describe being super busy. It's a very native-sounding expression.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Tame' as 'Taming' your emotions, and 'Iki' as 'Icky' feelings. You 'Tame-Iki' by letting them out with a 'Tsuku' (which sounds like a soft 'Two-koo' sound).

Visual Association

Imagine a small white cloud (like in manga) escaping a person's mouth. The cloud is labeled 'Tameiki'.

Word Web

Breath Sigh Relief Sadness Exhale Manga cloud Happiness escapes Tsuku

Challenge

Try to sigh in Japanese next time you finish a difficult task. Say 'Haa... tameiki o tsuita' out loud.

Word Origin

The word 'tameiki' comes from 'tame' (accumulation/holding) and 'iki' (breath). It literally means 'held breath' that is finally released.

Original meaning: A breath that was held back due to tension or emotion and then let out.

Japanese (Yamato-kotoba).

Cultural Context

Avoid sighing loudly during business negotiations or when receiving a gift in Japan.

In English, sighing is also for relief or boredom, but the 'happiness escapes' superstition is unique to East Asian cultures.

The song 'Tameiki' by various J-pop artists. Visual tropes in 'Doraemon' where characters sigh over schoolwork. Classical waka poetry mentioning 'tansoku'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Work Stress

残業続きでため息をつく
ミスをしてため息をつく
上司にため息をつかれる
忙しくてため息をつく暇もない

Romance

恋人のわがままにため息をつく
切ない恋にため息をつく
美しい彼女にため息をつく
昔の恋を思い出してため息をつく

Academic/Exams

テストの結果にため息をつく
勉強が嫌でため息をつく
難しい問題にため息をつく
合格して安堵のため息をつく

Daily Life

財布を忘れてため息をつく
雨が降ってきてため息をつく
電車に乗り遅れてため息をつく
テレビのニュースを見てため息をつく

Appreciation of Beauty

絶景を見てため息をつく
芸術作品にため息をつく
夕焼けの美しさにため息をつく
ため息が出るほどきれい

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かにため息をついたことはありますか？ (Have you sighed about anything recently?)"

"ため息をつくと幸せが逃げるという迷信を信じますか？ (Do you believe the superstition that happiness escapes when you sigh?)"

"仕事でため息をつきたくなるのはどんな時ですか？ (When do you feel like sighing at work?)"

"安堵のため息をついた最近のエピソードを教えてください。 (Tell me a recent episode where you sighed in relief.)"

"ため息をつく代わりに、どんなリラックス方法がありますか？ (Instead of sighing, what relaxation methods do you have?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、思わずため息をついてしまった瞬間について書いてください。 (Write about a moment today when you unintentionally sighed.)

「安堵のため息」をついた一番大きな経験は何ですか？ (What is the biggest experience where you sighed in relief?)

ため息をつくことは、ストレス解消に役立つと思いますか？ (Do you think sighing helps in stress relief?)

日本の「ため息をつくと幸せが逃げる」という考え方についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the Japanese idea that 'happiness escapes when you sigh'?)

ため息をつくような美しい景色を見た時のことを描写してください。 (Describe a time you saw scenery so beautiful it made you sigh.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'tameiki o suru' is considered incorrect. The fixed verb for sighing is 'tsuku'. While 'suru' is used for many nouns to make them verbs, 'tameiki' is an exception that requires 'tsuku'.

It can be. In a professional or social setting, sighing loudly often signals boredom, frustration, or negativity, which can disrupt the group harmony (wa). It's best to keep sighs quiet or private.

'Tameiki o tsuku' is an active expression—you are the one doing the sighing. 'Tameiki ga deru' means the sigh comes out naturally or uncontrollably, often used when you are overwhelmed by beauty or shock.

It's a common Japanese superstition (tameiki o tsuku to shiawase ga nigeru). It suggests that the act of sighing releases your good luck or positive energy, encouraging people to stay positive.

You say 'ando no tameiki o tsuku' (安堵のため息をつく). 'Ando' means relief or peace of mind.

Usually, yes. While it can be written as 吐く (to spit/emit), in the context of sighing, hiragana is much more common to avoid confusion with 'vomiting'.

Yes! You can sigh in relief (ando) or in admiration of something beautiful. However, without context, it usually leans toward a negative or tired feeling.

There isn't a single word, but 'warau' (to laugh) or 'hohoemu' (to smile) are often the emotional opposites.

It's rare. You might use 'tansoku' in a very formal context to express regret, but 'tameiki' is generally too casual or emotional for standard business correspondence.

Yes, it can be written as ため息 or 溜息. Both are acceptable, though ため息 is more frequent in modern Japanese.