喘息

• Reading: ぜんそく
• Romaji: zensoku
• Kanji breakdown: 喘 (zen) — pant, gasp; 息 (soku) — breath
• Pronunciation: /zeɴ.so.kɯ/

Meaning

Asthma. A chronic respiratory condition causing difficulty breathing.

A medical noun referring to bronchial asthma, a condition where airways become inflamed and narrowed, causing wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. Often triggered by allergens, exercise, or stress. Common collocations include 喘息の発作 (asthma attack) and 気管支喘息 (bronchial asthma).

Examples

1. 子供のころから喘息で苦しんでいる。 I've been suffering from asthma since childhood.
2. 喘息の発作が出たので病院に行った。 I had an asthma attack and went to the hospital.
3. 空気が乾燥すると喘息が悪化しやすい。 Asthma tends to get worse when the air is dry.

Usage Guide

Context: medical, health, daily life

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

From Sino-Japanese 喘息. 喘 (zen) means to pant or gasp, and 息 (soku) means breath. Together they vividly describe the laboured, gasping breathing characteristic of the condition.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal