Definition
憋 means physically holding back (breath, urine) or repressing emotions/words, giving a trapped, stifled feeling. It's more everyday and physical than 压抑 (yā yì, psychological oppression) and distinct from 窒息 (zhì xī, literal suffocation) or 呛 (qiàng, choking on liquid/smoke). As an adjective, it describes a stuffy, suffocating atmosphere.
verb
to hold (one's breath)to hold back (urine)to repressto stifle (emotions, words, anger)
adjective
stiflingsuffocatingoppressed
Easily confused
- 撇piělook-aliketo throw, to cast
- 别biésound-alikedon't (used before verbs to form negative imperatives)
- 别biésound-alike(verb) to part from, to separate
Examples
- 憋，。Wǒ biē le yì kǒu qì, qián dào shuǐ lǐ.I held my breath and dove into the water.
- 憋，。Bié biē zhe niào, duì pángguāng bù hǎo.Don't hold back your urine — it's bad for your bladder.
- 憋，。Tā bǎ huà dōu biē zài xīn lǐ, bù kěn shuō chūlái.Tā bǎ huà dōu ∼ zài xīn lǐ, bù kěn shuō chūlái,
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