息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)す

いきをふきかえす
expression
to come back to life; to revive; to make a comeback
1. to regain consciousness; to come back to life
Literally, to start breathing again. Used when someone who appeared dead or unconscious recovers.
患者(かんじゃ)が息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)した。
The patient came back to life.
心肺(しんぱい)蘇生(そせい)のおかげで息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)すことができた。
Thanks to CPR, the person was able to be revived.
2. to revive; to make a comeback; to bounce back
Figuratively, for something that seemed finished or defeated to regain strength and activity. Used for businesses, teams, economies, etc.
一時(いちじ)は倒産(とうさん)寸前(すんぜん)だった会社(かいしゃ)が息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)した。
The company that was once on the verge of bankruptcy made a comeback.
後半(こうはん)に入(はい)って、チームが息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)した。
The team came alive in the second half.
長(なが)い不況(ふきょう)の後(あと)、この町(まち)の商店街(しょうてんがい)がようやく息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)しつつある。
After a long recession, the shopping street in this town is finally coming back to life.

USAGE:
The literal meaning (sense 1) is used in medical and emergency contexts. The figurative meaning (sense 2) is more common in everyday speech and news, describing revivals and comebacks.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)す (to come back to life / to revive)
  • ようやく息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)す (to finally revive)
  • 奇跡(きせき)的(てき)に息(いき)を吹(ふ)き返(かえ)す (to miraculously come back to life)

SIMILAR EXPRESSIONS:

  • 蘇(よみがえ)る: to be resurrected, to revive — a single verb with similar meaning
  • 復活(ふっかつ)する: to make a comeback — more commonly used for careers or products
general
Added 2026.3.23 15:24
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