屏气

屏氣

bǐngqì

verb #35,941

Meanings

1 to hold one's breath
2 to stop breathing momentarily (in fear or concentration)

Characters

to suppress; restrain

Examples

HSK 3

全场观众屏气听她演唱。

Quánchǎng guānzhòng bǐngqì tīng tā yǎnchàng.

The whole audience held their breath listening to her sing.

HSK 7-9

他屏气凝神地等待结果。

Tā bǐngqì níngshén de děngdài jiéguǒ.

Holding his breath, he focused his attention and waited for the result.

Tips

usage

Note the reading: 屏 here is bǐng (third tone, 'to suppress / restrain'), NOT píng ('screen'). The very common four-character expression 屏气凝神 ('hold breath, focus mind') describes intense concentration or anticipation. For everyday 'hold breath' (e.g. when swimming), 憋气 is more colloquial.

mistakes

Don't read 屏 as píng - that pronunciation is for 屏幕 ('screen'). When 屏 means 'to suppress,' it's bǐng.

Stroke Order

屏 píng

气 qì