Meanings of 叹气
Listen & Choose the Meaning
Choose the correct answer:
About 叹气
Podcast: 叹气
Podcast: 叹气
Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you
New here?
AI Study Notes for 叹气
叹息 (tànxī) — use 叹气 for a more casual or spontaneous expression of emotion, while 叹息 may imply a deeper or more formal sense of lament.
Imagine a person feeling heavy-hearted, letting out a sigh that sounds like 'tàn'. The character 叹 resembles a mouth (口) expressing an emotional release, while 气 suggests the breath or air being exhaled. Together, they create a vivid image of someone letting go of their worries with a sigh.
Learners often confuse 叹气 with similar expressions of disappointment or frustration, such as 哀叹 (āitàn) which is more formal. It is generally informal and used in everyday conversations. Be mindful of the tone; 叹气 is always pronounced with the fourth tone on both syllables.
As an HSK 6 word, 叹气 connects with other emotional expressions and vocabulary related to feelings. Students should focus on using it in relevant contexts, such as conversations about stress or life challenges, and practice it with related words like 感叹 (gǎntàn) which means to exclaim.
In Chinese culture, sighing can reflect deep emotional states, often associated with the concept of fate (命运). It is commonly depicted in literature and film as a sign of someone contemplating their circumstances, thus underscoring the weight of personal and societal pressures.
Learners sometimes confuse 叹气 with the verb 哀叹, leading to incorrect usage in contexts that require a more formal tone. Always use 叹气 in casual conversations to express personal feelings.
Pronunciation of 叹气
Drill the tone of 叹气 with AI-powered exercises, get instant feedback, and earn XP toward mastery. Interactive tone practice is part of Pro.
Component Characters
Write 叹气
New here? to save your writing progress and earn XP.
Practice writing 叹气 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 叹气
叹气 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 2 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Complete the Sentence
我厌恶消极态度，不能忍受唉声____的人。
I loathe negativity. I can't stand people who moan.
Example Sentences for 叹气 (1)
Cultural Notes for 叹气
In Chinese culture, sighing can reflect deep emotional states, often associated with the concept of fate (命运). It is commonly depicted in literature and film as a sign of someone contemplating their circumstances, thus underscoring the weight of personal and societal pressures.
In Western cultures, sighing may also denote frustration or relief, but it is often less associated with deep emotional reflection than in Chinese culture, where it can signify a connection to one's fate.
Frequently Asked Questions about 叹气
叹气 specifically refers to an emotional sigh often associated with feelings of resignation or longing, while other words like 哀叹 may imply more formal lamentation.