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What is the Kanji for 'Breath'? | 息

If you are wondering what is the Japanese Kanji for 'Breath', you've come to the right place!

The Japanese Kanji for 'Breath' is 息.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Breath

    Reading

    kunyomiいき

    iki

    onyomiそく

    soku

    Parts

    Heart Self

    Example Word

    息: breath. The Japanese noun '息 (いき)' means 'breath'. It refers to the air taken into or expelled from the lungs, and is commonly used in contexts related to breathing, such as holding one's breath or being out of breath. For example: I took a deep breath「私は深く息をした」(わたしはふかくいきをした). He was out of breath after running「彼は走った後で息が切れていた」(かれははしったあとでいきがきれていた). The word can also be used metaphorically to describe a pause or moment of rest, as in 'a breath of fresh air'.

    Radical

    Stroke Count

    10

    JLPT

    N3

    Grade

    3

    Frequency

    358

    Handwriting

Parts of the Kanji

If you visually break down this kanji, you can see it is made up of 2 parts:

    kanji

    Meaning

    Heart

    kanji

    Meaning

    Self

Words Using

This kanji is used in 4 words:

    word

    息子

    Meaning

    Son

    word

    Meaning

    Breath

    word

    ため息

    Meaning

    Sigh

    word

    利息

    Meaning

    Interest

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 43 kanji contain the part 心 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Think

    kanji

    Meaning

    Evil

    kanji

    Meaning

    Forget

    kanji

    Meaning

    Urgent

    kanji

    Meaning

    Window

    kanji

    Meaning

    Idea

    kanji

    Meaning

    Concept

    kanji

    Meaning

    Anger, Angry

    kanji

    Meaning

    Sad

    kanji

    Meaning

    Inevitable, Certain

    kanji

    Meaning

    Appearance, Condition

    kanji

    Meaning

    Feeling, Sensation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Listen

    kanji

    Meaning

    Suspend

    kanji

    Meaning

    Virtue

    kanji

    Meaning

    Intention

    kanji

    Meaning

    Fear

    kanji

    Meaning

    Loyalty

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grace, Kindness

    kanji

    Meaning

    Constitution

    kanji

    Meaning

    Answer, Respond

    kanji

    Meaning

    Thought

    kanji

    Meaning

    Love

    kanji

    Meaning

    Love, Romance

    kanji

    Meaning

    Beguile, Bewildered

    kanji

    Meaning

    Favor, Bestow a favor

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ashamed, Shame

    kanji

    Meaning

    Ill, Afflicted

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Endure, Stealth

    kanji

    Meaning

    Lazy, Neglect

    kanji

    Meaning

    Foolish

    kanji

    Meaning

    Affection, Mercy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Abhor, Mourning

    kanji

    Meaning

    Distress, Melancholy

    kanji

    Meaning

    Remote, Leisurely

    kanji

    Meaning

    Console, Consolation

    kanji

    Meaning

    Chastise, Learn by mistakes

    kanji

    Meaning

    Cordial, Courteous

    kanji

    Meaning

    Congratulate, Congratulations

    kanji

    Meaning

    Wick

    kanji

    Meaning

    Selfish, Arbitrary

    kanji

    Meaning

    Grudge

Kanji Related to Through the Part

These 5 kanji contain the part 自 as well.

    kanji

    Meaning

    Neck

    kanji

    Meaning

    Body, Self

    kanji

    Meaning

    Rest

    kanji

    Meaning

    Nose

    kanji

    Meaning

    Stinking, Bad smell

Learn the Kanji

Let's make sure you fully understand this kanji.

What does 息 mean?

息 means 'Breath'.

Japanese school students learn this kanji in Third Grade, while non-native learners often study it for the JLPT N3 exam.

To help you master this kanji, here's an interactive lesson where you'll practice its readings and meanings.