Definition
喘气 is a separable verb (离合词) meaning 'to breathe heavily' or 'to catch one's breath'. The noun 气 can split off from 喘 when measure words, duration, or complements are inserted, e.g. 喘口气 ('take a breather'), 喘了一口气 ('took a breath'), 喘不上气 ('can't catch breath'). It's used after physical exertion or during emotional stress.
v.o.
to pantto gasp (from exertion)to catch one's breathto take a breather
Examples
- ，喘气。Tā pǎo de tài kuài, yìzhí zài chuǎn qì.He ran too fast and kept panting.
- 。Tā chuǎn le yì kǒu qì cái kāishǐ shuōhuà.He took a breath before starting to speak.
- ，。Bié zháojí, xiān hē kǒu shuǐ chuǎn kǒu qì.Don't worry, first drink some water and take a breather.
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