In 15 Seconds
- Literally means to inhale or pull air into the lungs.
- Used in medical, fitness, and high-stress emotional contexts.
- Commonly paired with 'deep' to encourage relaxation or focus.
Meaning
It literally means to pull air into your lungs. You use it when talking about breathing, doing yoga, or even taking a sharp breath when you're surprised.
Key Examples
3 of 6At a doctor's checkup
请深吸气，不要说话。
Please take a deep breath and don't talk.
During a yoga class
吸气，双手向上举。
Inhale, raise both hands up.
Seeing a huge bill
看到价格，我倒吸了一口气。
Seeing the price, I gasped (inhaled) in shock.
Cultural Background
While a standard anatomical term, '吸气' is central to the Chinese philosophy of 'Qi' (internal energy). In traditional practices like Qigong, how you inhale determines your mental clarity and physical health. It's often the first command you'll hear in any Chinese health or mindfulness context.
The 'Gasp' Trick
If you want to say you gasped in shock, add '倒' (dào) in front: '倒吸一口气'. It literally means to 'backward inhale' air.
Not for Smoking
Never use '吸气' for smoking. Use '吸烟' (xīyān) or '抽烟' (chōuyān). '吸气' is only for pure air!
In 15 Seconds
- Literally means to inhale or pull air into the lungs.
- Used in medical, fitness, and high-stress emotional contexts.
- Commonly paired with 'deep' to encourage relaxation or focus.
What It Means
吸气 is the most direct way to say 'inhale' or 'breathe in.' Think of it as the physical act of filling your lungs. It is simple, clear, and very common in daily life.
How To Use It
You use it as a verb. You can tell someone to 深吸气 (take a deep breath). It works just like the English word 'inhale.' You will hear it at the doctor's office or in a gym class. It is a very 'active' word. You are doing something with your breath.
When To Use It
Use it when you are exercising. Use it when you are trying to calm down before a big speech. If you are at the doctor and they have a stethoscope, they will say this. It is also great for describing a reaction. If you see something shocking, you might 吸一口气 (take a breath) in surprise. It is perfect for yoga or meditation sessions too.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it to mean 'taking a break.' In English, we say 'take a breather.' In Chinese, that is 歇一会儿. 吸气 is strictly about the air entering your body. Also, don't use it for 'smoking.' That is 抽烟. If you say you are 吸气 while holding a cigarette, people will be very confused. They might think you are just smelling the air near the cigarette!
Cultural Background
In China, breathing is linked to 气 (Qi), the life force. While 吸气 is a modern, medical term, the concept of 'taking in breath' is ancient. It is the foundation of Tai Chi and Qigong. Even in modern offices, taking a deep breath is seen as a way to balance your internal energy. It is not just oxygen; it is about resetting your mood.
Common Variations
The most common buddy for this word is 深 (shēn), meaning deep. 深吸气 is what everyone says when they want you to relax. You might also hear 吸一口气 which means 'take a single breath.' In fitness, you'll hear it paired with its opposite, 呼气 (hūqì), which means to exhale. Together they make the cycle of life—or at least the cycle of your workout!
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and medically accurate. Its most frequent companion is the adjective '深' (deep).
The 'Gasp' Trick
If you want to say you gasped in shock, add '倒' (dào) in front: '倒吸一口气'. It literally means to 'backward inhale' air.
Not for Smoking
Never use '吸气' for smoking. Use '吸烟' (xīyān) or '抽烟' (chōuyān). '吸气' is only for pure air!
The Power of Qi
In China, deep '吸气' is often seen as a way to gather 'Qi'. It's common to see elderly people in parks doing deep breathing exercises for longevity.
Examples
6请深吸气，不要说话。
Please take a deep breath and don't talk.
Standard medical instruction using the 'deep' modifier.
吸气，双手向上举。
Inhale, raise both hands up.
Used as a rhythmic command in exercise.
看到价格，我倒吸了一口气。
Seeing the price, I gasped (inhaled) in shock.
The phrase '倒吸一口气' is a common idiom for gasping.
别紧张，先深吸气。
Don't be nervous, take a deep breath first.
Used to help someone calm down.
清晨的大山里，吸气都是甜的。
In the mountains at dawn, even inhaling feels sweet.
Poetic use describing the freshness of the air.
教练一直让我吸气，我快缺氧了！
The coach keeps telling me to inhale, I'm running out of oxygen!
Hyperbolic complaining to a friend.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct word to complete the doctor's instruction.
请___吸气，然后慢慢呼气。
'深' (shēn) means deep, and '深吸气' is the standard phrase for 'take a deep breath.'
Which verb describes breathing in air?
他在森林里大口地___。
'吸' means to suck or inhale, which is the correct verb for air.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of '吸气'
Telling a friend to calm down.
吸气，别急。
Yoga or gym instructions.
吸气，抬头。
Medical examination.
请配合深吸气。
Where you'll hear '吸气'
Hospital
Checkups
Yoga Studio
Guided breathing
Shocking News
Gasping in surprise
Nature
Fresh mountain air
Practice Bank
2 exercises请___吸气，然后慢慢呼气。
'深' (shēn) means deep, and '深吸气' is the standard phrase for 'take a deep breath.'
他在森林里大口地___。
'吸' means to suck or inhale, which is the correct verb for air.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'呼吸' (hūxī) means the whole process of breathing (inhale + exhale). '吸气' is specifically just the 'in' part.
No, that doesn't work in Chinese. Use 休息 (xiūxi) or 歇会儿 (xiē huìr) instead.
The most natural way is 深吸一口气 (shēn xī yì kǒu qì).
Not really. It's a very literal term, though 倒吸一口气 is a very common way to describe being shocked in stories.
The opposite is 呼气 (hūqì), which means to exhale or breathe out.
No, for smelling, use 闻 (wén). 吸气 is about the lungs, not the scent.
It is neutral. You can use it with your doctor or your best friend without changing the word.
No, a vacuum cleaner 'sucks dust' 吸尘 (xīchén). 吸气 is specifically for air/breath.
Not at all! It is the standard word used by trainers and fitness apps.
Adding 一口 makes it 'one mouthful' of air, which sounds more natural when describing a single action.
Related Phrases
呼气 (Exhale)
呼吸 (To breathe)
憋气 (To hold one's breath)
叹气 (To sigh)
喘气 (To pant/gasp for air)
