1.
hard to breathe, suffocating, stifling
Physically difficult to breathe due to heat, humidity, poor air, or physical condition.
部屋が暑くて息苦しい。
The room is so hot it's hard to breathe.
走った後で息苦しくなった。
I became short of breath after running.
満員電車の中は息苦しくてたまらなかった。
It was unbearably suffocating inside the packed train.
2.
oppressive, stifling, uncomfortable
Figuratively suffocating due to tension, restrictive atmosphere, or emotional pressure. Describes situations or environments that feel psychologically constricting.
息苦しい雰囲気の会議だった。
It was a meeting with a stifling atmosphere.
ルールが多すぎて息苦しい職場だ。
It's an oppressive workplace with too many rules.
監視されているようで、息苦しさを感じる毎日だ。
Every day feels suffocating, as if I'm being watched.
USAGE:
The literal and figurative senses are equally common. The figurative sense (sense 2) is especially useful for describing oppressive social situations, rigid workplaces, and relationships where one feels constrained.
WORD FORMATION:
息 (breath) + 苦しい (painful, difficult). Literally "breathing is painful."
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 息苦しい雰囲気: stifling atmosphere
- 息苦しさを感じる: to feel suffocated
- 息苦しい社会: oppressive society