屏住

bǐngzhù

verb #13,546

Meanings

1 to hold (one's breath)
2 to suppress; to restrain

Characters

to hold back; to suppress

to hold; to stop

Examples

HSK 4

观众们都屏住了呼吸。

Guānzhòng men dōu bǐngzhù le hūxī.

The audience all held their breath.

HSK 7-9

他屏住呼吸，一动不动。

Tā bǐngzhù hūxī, yīdòng-bùdòng.

He held his breath and didn't move a muscle.

Tips

mistakes

In 屏住, 屏 is read bǐng (3rd tone), not píng (2nd tone). When meaning 'screen' (屏幕), it's píng. When meaning 'to hold back/suppress', it's bǐng. This is a common pronunciation trap.

Stroke Order

屏 píng

住 zhù