Meaning and Usage
"呼吸" (こきゅう) means "breath" or "respiration." It refers to the physical act of inhaling and exhaling air. This word is commonly used in everyday conversation, health contexts, and exercise.
Common Contexts
You will often hear "呼吸" when talking about relaxing techniques, such as "深く呼吸をする" (take a deep breath) to calm down. It is also used when describing physical reactions during exercise or stress.
Collocations and Patterns
- 呼吸をする: to breathe
- 呼吸を整える: to regulate or control breathing, often before speaking or performing
- 深く呼吸する: to take a deep breath
Register and Nuance
"呼吸" is a neutral and standard word suitable for both formal and informal situations. It is not slang or overly technical, so it can be used in daily conversation as well as in medical or fitness contexts.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes confuse "呼吸" with "息" (いき), which also means "breath." "息" is more casual and can refer to breath or a short pause, while "呼吸" specifically refers to the physiological process of breathing. Use "呼吸" when emphasizing the act or process of breathing.