Translation guide
Describes a high-pitched whistling sound made while breathing, often due to asthma, allergies, or respiratory issues. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the noun 喘鳴 (ぜんめい) or the mimetic word ゼーゼー. The choice depends on formality and context.
To describe the symptom of wheezing in a medical or formal context.
The standard medical term for wheezing. Used by doctors and in health-related discussions.
喘鳴が聞こえます。
I can hear wheezing.
喘鳴がある場合は、すぐに受診してください。
If you have wheezing, please see a doctor immediately.
A mimetic phrase describing the sound of wheezing. Commonly used in everyday conversation, especially when talking about children or oneself.
子供がゼーゼーいってて心配です。
My child is wheezing and I'm worried.
風邪をひいてから、ゼーゼーいうようになった。
Since I caught a cold, I've started wheezing.
Another mimetic phrase for a whistling sound, sometimes used for wheezing, but less specific than ゼーゼー. Can also describe wind or other high-pitched sounds.
息を吐くときにヒューヒューいいます。
When I breathe out, I make a wheezing sound.
To specifically refer to wheezing caused by asthma.
Literally 'asthma attack', which often includes wheezing as a symptom. This is the most natural way to talk about asthma-related breathing difficulties.
喘息の発作でゼーゼーしています。
I'm wheezing due to an asthma attack.
彼は喘息の発作が起きると、喘鳴がひどくなります。
When he has an asthma attack, his wheezing gets severe.
A casual way to say 'to wheeze because of asthma'.
最近、喘息でゼーゼーすることが多い。
Lately, I've been wheezing a lot from asthma.
To describe the audible wheezing sound itself, without necessarily implying a medical condition.
The onomatopoeia for the sound of wheezing. Can be used as a noun or adverb.
ゼーゼーという音がする。
There's a wheezing sound.
犬がゼーゼー苦しそうに呼吸している。
The dog is breathing with a painful wheezing sound.
The technical term for 'wheezing sound', used in medical contexts.
聴診器で喘鳴音を確認した。
I confirmed the wheezing sound with a stethoscope.
喘鳴 (ぜんめい) is the formal medical term, while ゼーゼー is the everyday onomatopoeia. Use 喘鳴 when speaking with a doctor or writing about health. Use ゼーゼー in casual conversation, especially when describing the sound to friends or family.
医者に「喘鳴があります」と言った。
I told the doctor, 'I have wheezing.'
友達に「ゼーゼーして苦しい」と言った。
I told my friend, 'I'm wheezing and it's hard to breathe.'
Wheezing is specifically a high-pitched whistling sound. Other breathing difficulties like 'shortness of breath' (息切れ) or 'heavy breathing' (荒い呼吸) are different. Make sure to use the correct term based on the sound.
息切れがする。ゼーゼーではない。
I'm short of breath (not wheezing).
息切れがする。ゼーゼーではない。
I'm short of breath (not wheezing).