Translation guide
To exhale air from the lungs. In Japanese, the most common and natural way to express this is with the verb 息を吐く (いきをはく). There are also more specific or formal terms.
ゆっくり息を吐いてください。
Breathe out slowly.
To breathe out air from the lungs, the opposite of inhaling.
The most common and natural way to say 'breathe out'. Literally 'to expel breath'. Used in everyday conversation.
大きく息を吸って、ゆっくり息を吐いてください。
Take a deep breath in, then slowly breathe out.
He breathed out deeply.
A shorter verb meaning 'to breathe out' or 'to exhale'. Often used with 息 (breath) as the object, but can stand alone when context is clear.
息を吐いてから、また吸って。
Breathe out, then breathe in again.
A technical or medical term for 'exhalation' or 'expiration'. Not used in daily conversation.
呼気に含まれる二酸化炭素の量を測定する。
Measure the amount of carbon dioxide in exhaled breath.
To breathe out audibly to express relief, tiredness, frustration, etc.
To sigh. This is the most natural way to express breathing out with emotion. Literally 'to let out a sigh'.
彼女は疲れたようにため息をついた。
She breathed out a tired sigh.
安堵のため息をついた。
I breathed out a sigh of relief.
To breathe out forcefully or with emphasis, often conveying emotion. 吐き出す adds a nuance of 'letting out' or 'expelling'.
彼は怒りを込めて息を吐き出した。
He breathed out angrily.
息を吐く (いきをはく) means 'to breathe out', while 息を吸う (いきをすう) means 'to breathe in'. They are often used together in instructions for breathing exercises.
息を吸って、吐いて。
Breathe in, breathe out.
The verb 吐く (はく) can also mean 'to vomit' when used with certain objects or in specific contexts. However, when used with 息 (いき), it clearly means 'to breathe out'. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
息を吐く (breathe out) vs. 食べたものを吐く (vomit what one ate)
息を吐く (breathe out) vs. 食べたものを吐く (vomit what one ate)