Japanese

こきゅう
Meaning: breathing; respiration
Part of Speech: Noun

Listen to pronunciation

Handwriting

呼
吸

Example sentences

I took a deep breath and calmed my mind.
瞑想をしている間は、雑念を払い、呼吸に集中する。
While meditating, clear your mind of distracting thoughts and focus on your breathing.
呼吸をふかくする。
Take a deep breath.
激しい運動の後、彼は喘鳴を伴う苦しそうな呼吸をしていた。
After intense exercise, he was breathing painfully with wheezing.
二人は阿吽の呼吸で完璧な演奏を披露した。
The two of them gave a perfect performance in complete synchronization.
彼は意識を臍下丹田に集中し、呼吸を整えた。
He focused his consciousness on his tanden and calmed his breathing.

Usage Notes

Refers to the act of inhaling and exhaling air. Also used metaphorically for teamwork ('matching breath') or the knack/trick for doing something.

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