屏息
ping4 zik1
The phrase 'hold your breath' in Cantonese is translated as 屏息 (ping4 zik1).
屏息 means to stop breathing for a short period of time, typically as a result of tension, suspense or intense anticipation.
Which one should you use?
While 屏息 refers to the physical act of holding one's breath, the related four-character idiom 屏息凝神 is used to describe the act of holding one's breath specifically to concentrate one's mind or spirit intensely.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
屏息 is a formal or literary term. It is commonly found in written works when describing suspenseful moments or intense emotions.
How do you pronounce it?
ping4 zik1
Did you know?
- The character 屏 in 屏息 originally referred to a folding screen used to block a view, implying that one is 'screening off' or shutting out their breath.
- In the idiom 屏息凝神, the word 凝 means to freeze or congeal, suggesting that the person's very spirit has turned solid from intense focus.
- Using 屏息 in a casual conversation might make you sound like a character from a classical wuxia novel or a high-fantasy poem rather than a modern speaker.
Example conversation
Jun Kit and Ya Ting are waiting for exam results.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit結果快要公布了。git3 gwo2 faai3 jiu3 gung1 bou3 liu5.The results are about to be announced.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我緊張到要屏息。ngo5 gan2 zang1 dou3 jiu3 bing2 sik1.I'm so nervous I'm holding my breath.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit雅婷，深呼吸，不要緊張。ngaa5 ting4, sam1 kap1 kap1, bat1 jiu3 gan2 zang1.Ya Ting, take a deep breath, don't be nervous.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我真的太緊張了。ngo5 zan1 dik1 taai3 gan2 zang1 liu5.I'm really too nervous.
