asfixiar
/asfiɡˈsjaɾ/
The Spanish verb for to suffocate is asfixiar.
This verb describes the process of suffering from a severely reduced intake of oxygen to the body.
Meaning: (intransitive) to suffer from severely reduced oxygen intake to the body (verb)
Which one should you use?
The transitive form asfixiar is used when one person or thing is causing another to suffocate. In contrast, when describing a person who is themselves suffering from a lack of oxygen, the reflexive form asfixiarse is the typical choice.
How does it change in a sentence?
To describe a person experiencing the sensation or process of suffocating, use the reflexive form asfixiarse rather than the transitive asfixiar.
How do you pronounce it?
/asfiɡˈsjaɾ/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking regions, people will use the common verb ahogar to mean 'to suffocate'. Although ahogar literally means 'to drown', it is frequently used colloquially for any situation involving a lack of air.
- In a financial context, the term asfixia describes a state of being unable to pay debts, creating a metaphorical lack of 'room to breathe' for a business or person.
- If you are feeling overheated or lightheaded from a stuffy room, you should use sofocarse instead of asfixiarse. While both involve difficulty breathing, sofocarse specifically captures the sensation of being stifled by heat or humidity.
Examples in context
- El humo me hizo asfixiarThe smoke made me suffocate
- ¡Ayuda! Me estoy ahogandoHelp! I'm suffocating
- Con tanta gente, me asfixioWith so many people, I'm suffocating
- En ese lugar tan cerrado, me quedo sin aireIn that cramped place, I run out of air
- Se asfixió por el humo.He suffocated from the smoke.
- El humo asfixia a la gente.The smoke suffocates people.
Example conversation
María and Alejandro are in a small room filled with smoke from a nearby fire.
- María¡Rápido, Alejandro! El humo nos puede asfixiar.Quick, Alejandro! The smoke could suffocate us.
- Alejandro¡Vamos afuera ahora mismo!Let's go outside right now!
- MaríaNo puedo respirar bien.I can't breathe well.
- AlejandroSujétame la mano, María.Hold my hand, María.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry asfixiar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
