Onyomi: ソク · Kunyomi: いき · Meanings: breath, coming to an end, interest (on money), nuture, respiration, rest, son
Kanji for breath, coming to an end, interest on money, nuture, respiration
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The kanji 息 is made from 自 (self) placed over 心 (heart). Long ago, people believed that “breath” was directly connected to the heart—your own breath calming or stirring your inner feelings. Ancient scribes imagined a person touching their nose (自 originally showed a nose) and sensing the movement of air, while the heart (心) below responded with calmness or relief. Together, these parts formed the idea of taking a breath, easing the heart, and finding rest. Over time, this image became the kanji meaning “breath,” “rest,” or “sigh.”
息 shows your own breath (自) settling your heart (心). It represents the simple act of breathing and the calm or relief that comes with it.
Imagine lightly touching your nose (自) and taking a deep breath that relaxes your heart (心). That soothing breath is exactly what 息 means.
| Word | Reading | Meaning | Meta |
|---|---|---|---|
| 息 | いき | breath, breathing | common JLPT-N3 Noun |
| 息子 | むすこ | son | common JLPT-N4 Noun |
| 息 | そく | son | Noun |
| 息 | そく | son | Noun |
| 意気込む | いきごむ | to be enthusiastic (about), to be eager (to do), to be keen, to be intent (on), to be determined | common JLPT-N1 Godan verb with 'mu' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 息切れ | いきぎれ | shortness of breath, panting, puffing | common Noun, Suru verb, Intransitive verb |
| 息抜き | いきぬき | taking a breather, relaxation, vent hole | Noun, Suru verb |
| 息巻く | いきまく | to rage, to storm (at), to be furious | Godan verb with 'ku' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 息詰まる | いきづまる | to be breathtaking, to be stifling | Godan verb with 'ru' ending, Intransitive verb |
| 息子さん | むすこさん | son | Noun |