verb
respirer
breathe
C’est prendre de l’air dans les poumons et le rejeter, pour vivre.
Definition & meaning
The verb respirer primarily refers to the biological process of inhaling and exhaling air to sustain life.
- Biological function: To take air into the lungs and let it out (to breathe).
- Rest or relief: To take a moment to rest, regain one's strength, or find relief after a period of intense effort or pressure.
- Exuding or showing: To be filled with a specific quality, emotion, or atmosphere. For example, a person might "respirer la joie" (exude joy).
- To be open/airy: To allow air to circulate through a space or object.
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: Respirer is a regular first-group verb ending in -er. It is transitive (takes a direct object when describing something being exuded) and intransitive (when describing the act of breathing).
- Origin: It comes from the Latin word respirare, composed of the prefix re- (again or back) and spirare (to blow or breathe).
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms
- Inhaling/Exhaling: souffler, inhaler.
- Resting: se reposer, souffler.
- Exuding: transpirer (in a figurative sense of showing a trait), dégager.
Antonyms
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Examples
Prendre une pause permet de bien respirer.verb
Taking a break allows you to breathe well.
Tu peux respirer lentement.verb
You can breathe slowly.
On doit respirer calmement chaque jour.verb
We must breathe calmly every day.
Elle aime respirer l'air frais.verb
She likes to breathe the fresh air.
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