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.
Breathe out slowly.
The most common and natural way to say 'breathe out'. Literally 'to expel breath'. Used in everyday conversation.
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.
Breathe out, then breathe in again.
A technical or medical term for 'exhalation' or 'expiration'. Not used in daily conversation.
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'.
She breathed out a tired sigh.
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'.
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.
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.
He breathed out angrily.
息を吐く (breathe out) vs. 食べたものを吐く (vomit what one ate)