Explore 息 in everyday expressions for breathing and rest, and in the word 息子.
The idea
息 has 10 strokes. Follow the linked diagram. Read 息 as いき in 息を吸う and 息を吐く, and as そく in 休息. 息子 is read むすこ as a whole word.
Examples
- 深く息を吸います。I take a deep breath.
- ゆっくり息を吐きます。I breathe out slowly.
- 息を止めています。I hold my breath.
- 少し休息をとります。I take a short rest.
- 息子は学校に通っています。My son goes to school.
- 走った後は息が切れます。I am out of breath after running.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic Japanese voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No Japanese device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
息子 means son, not breath; its reading むすこ is learned as a whole. 息を吸う means breathe in, while 息を吐く means breathe out.
Try it yourself
Write the reading of 息 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
いき
息 is read いき when it means breath, as in 息を吸います.
Write the reading of 休息 in hiragana.
Show answer or example answer
きゅうそく
休息 is read きゅうそく; it means rest, as in taking a short rest.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿子（むすこ）［息／自］.
Show answer or example answer
息
息 completes 息子, read むすこ, the word for son.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Write the reading of 息 in hiragana.
Write the reading of 休息 in hiragana.
Choose the missing kanji: ＿子（むすこ）［息／自］.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Write 息 following the diagram. Cover the readings, read 息 and 休息, then make a sentence about taking a break.