respiración
/respiɾaˈθjon/feminine
The English word breathing is translated into Spanish as respiración.
respiración refers to the act of respiration. If you want to describe the specific action of panting or breathing heavily, often following physical activity, the verb resollar is used in various Latin American countries.
Meaning: act of respiration (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In several Latin American countries, resollar is used to denote heavy breathing or panting.
How does it change in a sentence?
respiración is a feminine noun, which means it requires feminine articles such as la or una. The related verb form for the action of breathing is respirar.
How do you pronounce it?
/respiɾaˈθjon/
Did you know?
- The Latin root of respiración also connects it to the English word 'spirit', because both are derived from the concept of 'breath' or 'the breath of life'.
- While respiración is the standard term, the word aliento is often used when referring to the breath as a physical substance or a sign of life, such as in the phrase 'until my last breath'.
- The Spanish noun respiro can function as a way to describe a 'breather' or a brief respite, much like how English uses 'breathing room' to describe a much-needed break.
Examples in context
- Su respiración se volvió dificultosa.His breathing became faint.This sentence shows how to describe the quality of someone's respiración.Tatoeba #5621646 by albrusgher, translation #286178 by CM
- La respiración es un proceso corporal involuntario.Breathing is an involuntary bodily process.This sentence provides a definition of respiración as a bodily process.Tatoeba #1416745 by marcelostockle, translation #1415704 by CS
- Cuando se empieza a soñar, la respiración se vuelve irregular y menos profunda.When dreams begin, breathing becomes irregular and less deep.This sentence describes how the pattern of respiración changes during dreaming.Tatoeba #475568 by Shishir, translation #139685 by superbolo
- Necesito tomar una respiración profundaI need to take a deep breath
- Ella tiene problemas para respirarShe has trouble breathing
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are practicing yoga together.
- ElenaAlejandro, concéntrate en tu respiración.Alejandro, concentrate on your breathing.
- AlejandroLo intento, pero me cuesta mantener el ritmo.I'm trying, but I'm struggling to keep the rhythm.
- ElenaSigue mi respiración y relájate.Follow my breathing and relax.
- AlejandroAhora me siento mucho más tranquilo, Elena.I feel much calmer now, Elena.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “breathing” translations and entries respiración, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries respiración, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
