Japanese

いきをのむ
Meaning: to hold one's breath; to gasp
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 息を呑む 息を呑まない
Polite 息を呑みます 息を呑みません
Past 息を呑んだ 息を呑まなかった
Polite + Past 息を呑みました 息を呑みませんでした
Te-form 息を呑んで 息を呑まなくて
Potential 息を呑める 息を呑めない
Passive 息を呑まれる 息を呑まれない
Causative 息を呑ませる 息を呑ませない
Causative + Passive 息を呑まされる 息を呑まされない
Imperative 息を呑め 息を呑むな

Handwriting

息
を
呑
む

Example

I instinctively held my breath at the beautiful scenery spreading before my eyes.

Usage Notes

To stop breathing for a moment due to surprise, fear, or overwhelming beauty.

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