Breathing is the fundamental rhythm of life, essential for both physical survival and metaphorical expression.
Word in 30 Seconds
- The biological process of inhaling and exhaling air.
- Used to describe normal physiological activity or metaphorical rhythm.
- Essential vocabulary for health and daily life contexts.
1) 概览：呼吸是所有生物维持生命的基础生理活动。在中文里，“呼”意为呼气，“吸”意为吸气。这个词既可以作为动词使用，表示正在进行的生理动作，也可以作为名词使用，指代“呼吸”这一行为本身。
2) 用法模式：作为动词时，它常与副词搭配，如“深呼吸”、“大口呼吸”。它可以单独使用，也可以带宾语，例如“呼吸新鲜空气”。在文学或修辞中，它常被用来形容环境或氛围，例如“这座城市在呼吸”。
3) 常见语境：在医疗健康领域，医生会询问“呼吸是否顺畅”；在运动健身中，教练会强调“注意呼吸节奏”；在日常交流中，人们常说“去郊外呼吸新鲜空气”以表达放松心情。
4) 同义词辨析：“喘息”通常带有沉重、困难的意味，侧重于生理上的吃力；“呼吸”是一个中性词，指正常的生理过程。而“气息”多作为名词，指代人说话或运动时表现出的呼吸状态。
Examples
我们需要呼吸新鲜空气。
everydayWe need to breathe fresh air.
患者的呼吸频率已经恢复正常。
formalThe patient's respiratory rate has returned to normal.
跑完步后，他大口地呼吸着。
informalAfter running, he was breathing heavily.
森林被称为地球的呼吸器官。
academicForests are known as the lungs of the Earth.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
呼吸道
Respiratory tract
人工呼吸
Artificial respiration
屏住呼吸
Hold one's breath
Often Confused With
Refers specifically to heavy or labored breathing, often due to exertion or illness.
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
The word '呼吸' is versatile and used in both formal and informal registers. It is the standard, neutral term for the physiological act of breathing. Avoid using it in contexts where '喘气' (labored breathing) is more appropriate.
Common Mistakes
Beginners sometimes use '呼吸' when they mean 'to gasp' or 'to pant' (喘气). Ensure you use '呼吸' for normal, steady breathing. Do not confuse it with '吸入' (to inhale only).
Tips
Use with adjectives for better expression
Combine with words like '深' (deep) or '急促' (rapid) to add descriptive detail to your sentences.
Do not confuse with '喘气'
While '喘气' also means breathing, it often implies heavy, labored, or noisy breathing, unlike the neutral '呼吸'.
Connection to Qigong and health
In Chinese culture, controlling breathing is central to practices like Qigong and Tai Chi to balance internal energy.
Word Origin
The word combines '呼' (to exhale) and '吸' (to inhale), representing the complete cycle of respiration. It has been used in this sense since ancient Chinese texts.
Cultural Context
Breathing is deeply linked to the concept of 'Qi' (energy) in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy. Proper breathing techniques are seen as essential for longevity and mental clarity.
Memory Tip
Think of '呼' as 'out' (exhale) and '吸' as 'in' (inhale). Together, they form the cycle of life.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions可以。在文学描述中，常将建筑或城市比喻为有生命的物体，使用“呼吸”来形容其变动或生机。
指用力且缓慢地吸气和呼气，通常用于平复情绪或缓解压力。
它既是动词也是名词。例如“他正在呼吸”（动词）和“他的呼吸很平稳”（名词）。
通常使用“喘不过气”或“呼吸困难”来表达，常见于医疗或紧急情况。
Test Yourself
清晨，公园里的空气很好，大家都在这里___新鲜空气。
呼吸新鲜空气是标准搭配。
Score: /1
Summary
Breathing is the fundamental rhythm of life, essential for both physical survival and metaphorical expression.
- The biological process of inhaling and exhaling air.
- Used to describe normal physiological activity or metaphorical rhythm.
- Essential vocabulary for health and daily life contexts.
Use with adjectives for better expression
Combine with words like '深' (deep) or '急促' (rapid) to add descriptive detail to your sentences.
Do not confuse with '喘气'
While '喘气' also means breathing, it often implies heavy, labored, or noisy breathing, unlike the neutral '呼吸'.
Connection to Qigong and health
In Chinese culture, controlling breathing is central to practices like Qigong and Tai Chi to balance internal energy.
Examples
4 of 4我们需要呼吸新鲜空气。
We need to breathe fresh air.
患者的呼吸频率已经恢复正常。
The patient's respiratory rate has returned to normal.
跑完步后，他大口地呼吸着。
After running, he was breathing heavily.
森林被称为地球的呼吸器官。
Forests are known as the lungs of the Earth.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More science words
吸收
A1To absorb; to take in.
海拔
B1The height of an object or place above sea level.
属性
B1A quality or feature that is typical of or belongs to something or someone.
生物
B1Any living thing, or the study of living organisms. Basic term for IELTS biology-related reading passages.
模糊
A1Blurry; vague; indistinct.
燃烧
A1To burn; combustion.
计算
A1To calculate; to compute; to determine a value mathematically.
推算
B1To calculate, estimate, or figure out something using data, logic, or mathematical methods. It implies a process of reasoning from known facts to unknown values.
校准
B1To calibrate, adjust, or check for accuracy against a standard. It is used for instruments, data, or plans.
捕捉
B1To catch or seize something, literally (like an animal) or figuratively (like an image, information, or an opportunity).
