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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to inhale' with 吸 (xī)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    吸 + 一口气 / 深吸一口气

    Explanation

    吸 (xī) means "to inhale," "to breathe in," or "to suck in" and describes the action of drawing air or a substance inward. A very common collocation is 深吸一口气 (to take a deep breath). It also appears in compounds like 吸引 (to attract) and 呼吸 (to breathe).

    Examples

    • 紧张的时候，深吸一口气会让人放松不少。

      jǐnzhāng de shíhou, shēn xī yī kǒu qì huì ràng rén fàngsōng bù shǎo.

      When you're nervous, taking a deep breath can help you relax a lot.

    • 他站在山顶上，吸了一口新鲜空气。

      tā zhàn zài shāndǐng shàng, xī le yī kǒu xīnxiān kōngqì.

      He stood on the mountaintop and took a breath of fresh air.

    • 医生让她慢慢地吸气，再慢慢呼出来。

      yīshēng ràng tā mànmàn de xīqì, zài mànmàn hū chūlái.

      The doctor told her to slowly breathe in, then slowly breathe out.

    Expressing 'to inhale' with 吸 (xī) | Chinese Grammar