Translation guide
The English word 'pant' can refer to the act of breathing heavily, or to the sound or action of a machine or engine. This guide helps learners express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
To describe someone or an animal breathing quickly and audibly, often with the mouth open, due to physical effort, heat, or strong emotion.
The most direct equivalent for 'pant' when referring to labored breathing, often from exhaustion, pain, or distress. Can also imply gasping for air.
彼は走った後、激しく喘いでいた。
He was panting heavily after running.
犬が暑さで喘いでいる。
The dog is panting from the heat.
Literally 'to run out of breath'. Used when someone is out of breath and breathing hard, often after exercise. More common in spoken Japanese than 喘ぐ for everyday situations.
階段を駆け上がって、息を切らしていた。
I ran up the stairs and was panting.
Onomatopoeic expression mimicking the sound of panting. Very colloquial and vivid. Often used for dogs or in casual speech.
犬がハアハア言いながら走ってきた。
The dog came running, panting.
Describes rough or heavy breathing, not necessarily from exertion. Can imply agitation or arousal. More descriptive than a direct translation of 'pant'.
彼の息遣いが荒くなった。
His breathing became ragged (he started panting).
To speak in a breathless, hurried way, often because of physical exertion or excitement.
The most natural way to express saying something while panting. Combines 'out of breath' with the verb 'to say'.
「助けて」と彼女は息を切らして言った。
'Help me,' she panted.
Using the verb 喘ぐ in the -ながら form to indicate simultaneous action. Slightly more literary or dramatic.
彼は喘ぎながら「水をくれ」と言った。
He panted, 'Give me water.'
To express a strong desire or craving, often used in the phrase 'pant for' or 'pant after'.
Means 'to long for' or 'yearn for' in a formal or intense way. Not a direct translation of 'pant', but captures the emotional intensity.
彼は自由を切望していた。
He was panting for freedom.
Literally 'thirst and desire', implying a desperate craving. Stronger than 切望する. Suitable for literary contexts.
彼女は名声を渇望していた。
She was panting for fame.
To describe the sound of a steam engine, pump, or similar device operating with a repetitive puffing noise.
Onomatopoeic phrase mimicking the sound of a steam engine or pump. シュッシュッ represents the puffing sound.
古い機関車がシュッシュッと音を立てて走っていた。
The old locomotive was panting along.
Literally 'to emit steam'. Describes the action of a steam engine puffing steam. More descriptive than onomatopoeic.
列車が蒸気を吐きながら駅を出た。
The train panted out of the station.
The English word 'pant' can also mean 'trousers' (usually plural 'pants'). In Japanese, 'pants' is ズボン (zubon) or パンツ (pantsu). Do not use 喘ぐ or other breathing-related words for clothing.
喘ぐ (あえぐ) often implies distress, pain, or severe exhaustion, and can sound dramatic. 息を切らす (いきをきらす) is more neutral and commonly used for being out of breath after exercise. For everyday situations like running to catch a bus, 息を切らす is more natural.