息(いき)を呑(の)む

いきをのむ
expression
to gasp, to hold one's breath (in amazement)
1. to gasp, to catch one's breath, to be breathtaken
To hold one's breath momentarily due to surprise, shock, or being overwhelmed by something beautiful or impressive.
その景色(けしき)の美(うつく)しさに息(いき)を呑(の)んだ。
The beauty of the scenery took my breath away.
観客(かんきゃく)は息(いき)を呑(の)んで見守(みまも)った。
The audience watched with bated breath.
事故(じこ)の知(し)らせに息(いき)を呑(の)んだ。
I gasped at the news of the accident.

STRUCTURE: 息(いき) (breath) + を + 呑(の)む (to swallow). Literally 'to swallow one's breath.'

NUANCE: Used for intense moments that cause a physical reaction - beauty, shock, suspense, or awe. The image is of breath being caught in the throat.

COMMON CONTEXTS:

  • 美(うつく)しさに息(いき)を呑(の)む (breathtaken by beauty)
  • 驚(おどろ)きで息(いき)を呑(の)む (gasp in surprise)
  • 緊張(きんちょう)で息(いき)を呑(の)む (hold breath in tension)

RELATED EXPRESSIONS:

  • 息(いき)を潜(ひそ)める (to hold one's breath quietly, lie low)
  • はっとする (to be startled)
  • 息(いき)が止(と)まる (breath stops - extreme shock)

PRENOMINAL FORM: 息(いき)を呑(の)むような + noun (breathtaking [noun])

  • 息(いき)を呑(の)むような絶景(ぜっけい) (breathtaking view)
general
Added 2026.1.18 19:03 · Revised 2026.1.19 21:17
06500/06902_ikiwonomu