What is breathe? Pronunciation and usage in English

breathe means . Learn how to pronounce and use breathe through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of breathe

breatheverb

/briːð/
Definition & pronunciation of breathe

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "breathe" in English. Here's a detailed guide:

1. The Sounds:

  • "b": This is a standard "b" sound – like in "ball."
  • "r": This is a tricky one! The English "r" is retroflex. This means you need to curl your tongue back slightly in your mouth, almost touching the back of your teeth. It’s different from the rolled "r" in Spanish or Italian.
  • "ee": This is a long "e" sound, like in "see" or "tree."

2. Putting it Together – Step-by-Step:

  1. Start with the "b": Say "b" as you normally would.
  2. Add the "r": This is where the focus is. Shape your tongue. Think of slightly pulling it back towards the roof of your mouth, almost touching your teeth. The sound is a bit "hollow" – like you’re whispering "h" but with your tongue curved back. It’s fine if it doesn’t perfectly match a native speaker’s “r,” but this is the key shape.
  3. Say the "ee": Now, quickly say the long "e" sound as in "see."

3. The Whole Word: “Breathe”

It should sound like this: "breth" (with that retroflex "r")

4. Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don’t pronounce the "r" too strongly: It’s not a rolled "r." It’s more of a subtle, back-curled sound.
  • Don't let the "r" interfere with the "ee": Keep them separate sounds.
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to get it right is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Translate: Type "breathe" and click the speaker icon.
    • Forvo: (https://forvo.com/word/breathe/) - A website with pronunciations from native speakers.
    • YouTube: Search for “how to pronounce breathe” – you’ll find many videos.

5. A Visual Analogy (this can help some people):

Imagine you're trying to say the "h" sound in "hello," but you pull your tongue back just a little bit as you do it. That's the basic idea of the retroflex "r."

Would you like me to:

  • Record myself saying "breathe"?
  • Give you a more detailed explanation of the retroflex "r"?

Usage and examples with the word breathe in English

Let's break down how to use the word "breathe" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word! Here's a breakdown of its different meanings and how to use them, categorized for clarity:

1. The Literal Act of Breathing (Physiological)

  • Definition: To inhale and exhale air as a living organism.
  • How to Use:
    • "I need to breathe deeply." (Suggesting a conscious effort to control breathing)
    • "He was barely breathing." (Meaning he was breathing very weakly or not at all)
    • "She took a deep breath before speaking." (Preparing herself mentally)
    • "Animals breathe air.” (A general statement about the biological function)

2. To Take a Moment to Relax or Think

  • Definition: To pause and regain composure, often after a stressful or emotional situation.
  • How to Use:
    • "Just breathe for a moment." (Advice to calm down)
    • "I need to breathe and collect my thoughts." (Describing the need for a pause)
    • "He took a shaky breath after hearing the news." (Showing emotional reaction)
    • "Let it go and breathe.” (Often used in mindfulness or self-help contexts)

3. Figurative Meanings - Expanding & Growing

  • Definition: To experience growth, change, or development; to live and flourish. This is a common metaphorical use.
  • How to Use:
    • “The company needed to breathe again after the crisis.” (Meaning it needed time to recover and regain stability)
    • “After years of silence, her voice finally breathed new life into the project.” (Meaning her contribution revitalized something that had stagnated.)
    • “The new policy breathes freedom into the organization.” (Meaning the policy creates a more open and flexible environment).
    • “The forest breathes with life.” (Describing the feeling of a healthy, thriving ecosystem).

4. As a Verb in Phrases

  • Breathe in: To inhale. “He breathed in the fresh air.”
  • Breathe out: To exhale. “She breathed out a sigh of relief.”
  • Breathe on (something): To continue or keep going. “Keep breathing on that problem until you find a solution.” (Rarely used, sounds a bit old-fashioned)

5. As a Noun (Less Common)

  • Definition: A single act of breathing.
  • How to Use:
    • "I felt a breath of fresh air after the rain." (A sudden change or improvement)
    • "He gave a deep breath." (Expressing a big effort of inhaling)

Tips for Using "Breathe" Effectively:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "breathe" depends heavily on the surrounding words and the overall situation.
  • Vary your phrasing: Instead of just saying “I need to breathe,” you could say “I need to calm down and take a deep breath,” or “I need to clear my head.”
  • Be mindful of tone: When suggesting someone "breathe," you're often trying to offer comfort or encouragement.

Resources for Further Learning:

Can you give me a specific sentence or situation where you'd like to use the word "breathe," and I can help you craft it more precisely?

Synonyms for the word breathe

Idioms of the word breathe

breathe (easily/freely) again
to feel calm again after something unpleasant or frightening has ended
  • Once he was safely back in prison, she was able to breathe easily again.
breathe down somebody’s neck
(informal)to watch closely what somebody is doing in a way that makes them feel anxious and/or annoyed
  • I can’t get any work done with you breathing down my neck.
breathe/rest/sleep easy
to relax and stop worrying
  • You can rest easy—I'm not going to tell anyone.
  • I can sleep easy knowing that she's safely home.
breathe your last
(literary)to die
    breathe (new) life into something
    to improve something by introducing new ideas and making people more interested in it
    • The results of their research have breathed new life into the debate.
    live and breathe something
    to be very enthusiastic about something
    • He just lives and breathes football.

    Practice with vocabulary breathe

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. After running the marathon, she stopped to __________ deeply and recover her energy.
    2. It’s important to __________ through your nose during meditation for better focus.
    3. The doctor advised him to __________ more water to stay hydrated.
    4. The air was so polluted that it was difficult to __________ comfortably.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. After a long day, she likes to __________ and relax.
      a) breathe
      b) drink
      c) sleep
      d) think

    2. Which of the following is essential for survival?
      a) breathe
      b) eat
      c) walk
      d) sleep

    3. The yoga instructor reminded everyone to __________ slowly and deeply.
      a) inhale
      b) exhale
      c) breathe
      d) move

    4. The hiker struggled to __________ at the high altitude.
      a) climb
      b) breathe
      c) rest
      d) continue

    5. During the presentation, he forgot to __________ and paused to collect his thoughts.
      a) speak
      b) breathe
      c) smile
      d) listen

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Original: She took a moment to calm herself down.
      Rewrite: She took a moment to __________ deeply and calm herself down.

    2. Original: The polluted air made it hard to get enough oxygen.
      Rewrite: The polluted air made it hard to __________ properly.

    3. Original: He paused to catch his breath after running.
      Rewrite: He paused to rest after running.

    Answer:

    Exercise 1:

    1. breathe
    2. breathe
    3. drink
    4. breathe

    Exercise 2:

    1. a) breathe
    2. a) breathe, b) eat, d) sleep
    3. c) breathe
    4. b) breathe
    5. b) breathe

    Exercise 3:

    1. She took a moment to breathe deeply and calm herself down.
    2. The polluted air made it hard to breathe properly.
    3. He paused to rest after running.

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