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窒息

zhì xī
HSK 3.0 Level 7 Verb Common

Definitions

  1. 1. to choke
  2. 2. to stifle
  3. 3. to suffocate

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Word relationships

Related words

1 item
呼吸
hū xī

to breathe

basic process opposite of suffocation

Synonyms

1 item
抑制
yì zhì

to inhibit

metaphorical stifling, e.g., 抑制创造力

Usage notes

Collocations

Common in metaphorical use: 窒息而死 (suffocate to death), 感到窒息 (feel suffocated). Can describe oppressive atmosphere.

Common mistakes

Don't confuse with 喘气 (pant/gasp). 窒息 means suffocation, not the act of breathing hard.

Example Sentences

1 shown
房间里烟雾很浓，我几乎 窒息 了。
The room was filled with thick smoke, and I almost suffocated.

AI-generated examples are marked with this icon.

Words Containing 窒息

窒息性毒剂
zhì xī xìng dú jì

choking agent

Child Words of 窒息

息
xī

breath

窒
zhì

to obstruct