noun
A deep breath expressing tiredness, relief, sadness, or frustration. Often used in phrases like ため息をつく (to heave a sigh).
彼は大きなため息をついた。
He let out a big sigh.
ため息が出るほど美しい景色だった。
The scenery was so beautiful it made me sigh.
Standard spelling; the first part is usually written in kana.
Rare compact spelling; the 溜め息 form is more common when kanji is used.
Alternate spelling using the kanji 溜; less common but still seen.
Compound of ため (from verb 溜める, to accumulate) and 息 (breath), literally 'accumulated breath'.