Translation guide
How to express being out of breath in Japanese, covering physical exertion, medical conditions, and figurative uses.
Describing being winded or short of breath after exercise or physical activity.
Common phrase meaning 'to run out of breath' or 'to be out of breath'. Used when you can't breathe properly due to exercise.
I got out of breath from running.
I get out of breath quickly when climbing stairs.
Literally 'breath goes up', meaning to become out of breath, often used in sports contexts.
I got out of breath from intense exercise.
To be out of breath, often implying you are breathing heavily. Can be used as '息を切らして' (out of breath) as an adverbial phrase.
He came running, out of breath.
Noun meaning 'shortness of breath' or 'being out of breath'. Often used as '息切れする' (to become out of breath).
I get out of breath just from running a little.
Describing breathlessness caused by medical conditions like asthma, heart problems, or illness.
Adjective meaning 'difficult to breathe' or 'suffocating'. Used for medical or discomfort-related breathlessness.
Lately, I often feel out of breath.
Literally 'breathing is painful', used for difficulty breathing, often in medical contexts.
I can't sleep because I'm out of breath.
Also used for medical shortness of breath, not just exercise-induced.
Using breathlessness metaphorically to describe being overwhelmed by work, life, or pace.
Literally 'breath gets blocked', meaning to feel suffocated or stifled, often by pressure or a tense atmosphere.
I'm so busy with work I feel like I can't breathe.
Metaphorically used when you can't keep up with a pace or run out of steam, like in a project or career.
At this pace, I'm going to run out of breath (steam) halfway.
「息が切れる」 is for temporary breathlessness from exertion, while 「息苦しい」 implies a more persistent, uncomfortable difficulty breathing, often medical or environmental.
I got out of breath during the marathon.
The room is hot and it's hard to breathe.
I became short of breath due to asthma.
心臓の病気で息切れがひどい。
I have severe shortness of breath due to heart disease.