Translation guide
The English verb 'stifle' covers several related ideas: suppressing something (a feeling, sound, action), suffocating someone, or feeling unable to breathe. This guide organizes Japanese expressions by these core meanings, from most common to more specific uses.
To hold back or stop yourself from expressing something like a laugh, yawn, cry, anger, or impulse.
General verb meaning 'to suppress' or 'to hold back'. Used for feelings, sounds, and actions. Very common and natural.
笑いを抑えるのに必死だった。
I struggled to stifle my laughter.
怒りを抑えられなかった。
I couldn't stifle my anger.
To endure or hold back something that wants to come out, like tears, laughter, or a yawn. Often used with physical reactions.
あくびをこらえた。
I stifled a yawn.
涙をこらえて話し続けた。
She stifled her tears and kept talking.
Literally 'push and kill', meaning to suppress forcefully. Often used for voices or emotions, implying a strong effort.
彼は声を押し殺して話した。
He spoke in a stifled voice.
Literally 'bite and kill', used specifically for stifling a yawn or laugh by clenching one's teeth. Somewhat literary.
あくびを噛み殺した。
I stifled a yawn (by clenching my teeth).
To cause someone to be unable to breathe, often by covering the mouth and nose, or by being in a stuffy environment.
Causative form of 'suffocation'. Used when someone or something causes suffocation. Can be literal or figurative.
煙が彼を窒息させた。
The smoke stifled him.
To choke or suffocate someone, often by blocking the airway. More vivid than 窒息させる.
犯人は被害者の口をふさいで息を詰まらせた。
The culprit stifled the victim by covering their mouth.
To experience difficulty breathing due to heat, lack of air, or tightness.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'to feel suffocated' or 'to be stifling'. Used for stuffy rooms or oppressive atmospheres.
この部屋は息が詰まる。
This room is stifling.
To suffocate, to be unable to breathe. More medical or serious than 息が詰まる.
暑さで窒息しそうだ。
I'm stifling in this heat.
To prevent something from developing or being expressed, such as creativity, debate, or economic growth.
To oppress or suppress, often used for freedom, expression, or dissent. Stronger than 抑える.
その政策は自由な議論を抑圧した。
The policy stifled free debate.
To hinder or obstruct. Used when something prevents growth or progress.
過剰な規制が経済成長を妨げている。
Excessive regulations are stifling economic growth.
Both mean 'to suppress', but 抑える is more general and can be used for emotions, sounds, or actions. こらえる is specifically for holding back something that is about to burst out physically, like tears, laughter, or yawns. 抑える can also mean 'to control' or 'to keep in check' in a broader sense.
Avoid directly translating 'stifle' as 窒息させる unless you mean literal suffocation. For suppressing a yawn or laugh, use 抑える or こらえる. Using 窒息させる for a yawn would sound bizarre.