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.
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'.
Let's take a deep breath.
I have difficulty breathing.
To refer to unpleasant-smelling breath.
Literally 'mouth odor', this is the standard term for bad breath.
I'm worried about my breath.
To describe the act of intentionally stopping breathing.
The standard phrase for 'hold one's breath'.
Please hold your breath.
He held his breath and dove underwater.
To express a breath that conveys emotion, such as relief, exhaustion, or sadness.
To describe being breathless after physical activity.
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).
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.
I could see my breath in the cold air.
He took a deep breath before speaking.
ちょっと息をつきましょう。
Let's take a breather.