Translation guide
The English word 'breath' refers to the air taken into or expelled from the lungs, or a single act of breathing. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 息 (iki), but the translation depends on context, such as whether you are talking about breathing, a sigh, bad breath, or holding your breath. This guide covers the main ways to express 'breath' naturally in Japanese.
To refer to breath in a general sense, such as taking a breath, breathing, or the air from the lungs.
The most common and general word for 'breath'. Used in many expressions related to breathing.
息を吸ってください。
Please take a breath.
彼は深く息を吐いた。
He let out a deep breath.
Refers to 'breathing' or 'respiration' as a process. Often used in medical, sports, or technical contexts, but also in everyday phrases like 'deep breathing'.
深呼吸をしましょう。
Let's take a deep breath.
呼吸が苦しいです。
I have difficulty breathing.
To refer to unpleasant-smelling breath.
Literally 'mouth odor', this is the standard term for bad breath.
口臭が気になります。
I'm worried about my breath.
To describe the act of intentionally stopping breathing.
The standard phrase for 'hold one's breath'.
息を止めてください。
Please hold your breath.
彼は息を止めて水中に潜った。
He held his breath and dove underwater.
To express a breath that conveys emotion, such as relief, exhaustion, or sadness.
A sigh, often of relief, tiredness, or frustration.
彼女は安堵のため息をついた。
She let out a breath of relief.
To take a breather or catch one's breath, often after exertion or to relax.
To describe being breathless after physical activity.
Literally 'breath runs out', meaning to be out of breath or short of breath.
走った後で息が切れた。
I was out of breath after running.
To become short of breath, often used in sports contexts.
激しい運動で息が上がった。
I got out of breath from the intense exercise.
To count breaths or refer to a single instance of breathing.
One breath; also used to mean a short break or a puff (e.g., on a cigarette).
一息入れてから続けましょう。
Let's take a breath and then continue.
To refer to breath in a poetic or metaphorical sense, such as the breath of life.
While 息 refers to the breath itself, 呼吸 refers to the act or process of breathing. Use 息 for 'take a breath' (息を吸う) and 呼吸 for 'breathing is difficult' (呼吸が苦しい).
Many common expressions use 息: 息子 (musuko, son) is unrelated, but 息苦しい (ikigurushii, stuffy/suffocating) and 息抜き (ikinuki, taking a break) are directly related to breath.
寒い空気の中で息が白く見えた。
I could see my breath in the cold air.
彼は話す前に深く息を吸った。
He took a deep breath before speaking.
Let's take a breather.