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一息つく (ひといきつく) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

一ひと息いきつく

ひ

と

い

き

つ

く

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-ku)

take a breather; take a rest

Used when pausing from work or activity to relax briefly. Similar to 一息入れる.

See also: 一息入れる

仕し事ごとの合あい間まに一ひと息いきつこう。
Let's take a breather between tasks.

2

expression, godan verb (-ku)

catch one's breath; take a breath

Refers to pausing to breathe, often after exertion or to calm down.

走はしった後あとで一ひと息いきついた。
I caught my breath after running.

Written forms

一ひと息いきつく
Standard kanji spelling; つく is written in kana.
一ひと息いき吐つく
Alternate spelling using 吐く for 'to breathe out', but つく is more common.

Kanji

一one, one radical (no.1)
息breath, respiration, son
吐spit, vomit, belch

Similar words

一ひと息いき入いれる
Very similar meaning; 一息入れる often implies a more deliberate break, while 一息つく can be a quick pause.

Etymology

Compound of 一息 (one breath) and つく (to take, to breathe out). The exact derivation of つく is uncertain, but it is conventionally associated with taking a breath or a pause.