窒息

• 拼音: zhì xī
• 汉字拆解: 窒 = 穴 + 至 (cave + arrive — blocked passage); 息 = 自 + 心 (nose + heart — breath)

含义

To suffocate; to choke; asphyxiation. The state of being unable to breathe due to lack of air.

Used medically and figuratively. 窒息感 (feeling of suffocation), 窒息而死 (die of suffocation). Figuratively: 令人窒息的压力 (suffocating pressure), 经济窒息 (economic strangulation). Conveys extreme restriction or oppression.

例句

1. 消防员及时救出了被困在火场中险些窒息的居民。
2. 高强度的工作压力让他感到窒息，最终选择辞职。
3. 过于严格的管控可能会窒息企业的创新活力。

用法指南

语境: medical, emotional description, figurative

语气: intense

正确说法

• 婴儿睡眠时要注意防止被子捂住口鼻导致窒息。(When babies sleep, be careful to prevent blankets from covering their mouth and nose causing suffocation.)
• 沉重的债务负担几乎让这家企业窒息。(The heavy debt burden nearly suffocated this company.)

错误说法

• 我有点窒息 — for mild discomfort, use 喘不过气 or 透不过气; 窒息 implies severe or life-threatening lack of air

起源与历史

窒 (obstruct/blocked) + 息 (breath)

文化背景

世代: All ages

社会背景: Universal