زفر
zafara
The Arabic verb for 'breathe out' is زفر (zafara).
The verb زفر is used specifically to describe the act of exhaling air from the lungs.
Meaning: to exhale (verb)
How do you pronounce it?
zafara
Did you know?
- In some Arabic dialects, the root زفر is also used to describe the strong, gamey smell of meat or fish.
- While زفر refers to the physical act of exhaling, the related noun زفرة (zafrah) is often used metaphorically in Arabic poetry to describe a 'sigh' of deep sorrow or longing.
- The verb زفر is strictly focused on the air leaving the body, distinguishing it from the word for breathing in, which uses a completely different phonetic root.
Examples in context
- زفر الهواء ببطء.zaffir al-hawa'a bi-but'Exhale the air slowly.
- زفر كل ما في صدرك.zaffir kulla ma fi sadrika.Exhale everything in your chest.
Example conversation
A fitness instructor is guiding a student through a breathing exercise.
- عمر Omarالآن، خذي نفساً عميقاً.Al-aan, khudhi nafasan amiqan.Now, take a deep breath.
- مريم Maryamفعلت ذلك يا عمر.Fa'altu dhalika ya Omar.I did that, Omar.
- عمر Omarجيد، والآن زفر ببطء.Jayyid, wal-aan zafir bi-but'.Good, and now breathe out slowly.
- مريم Maryamأشعر بالراحة الآن.Ash'uru bil-raha al-aan.I feel relaxed now.
