透不过气

透不過氣

tòubùguòqì

phrase #17,346

Meanings

1 unable to breathe
2 suffocating
3 stifling

Characters

to penetrate; to pass through

to pass; through

Literally: breath cannot pass through

Examples

HSK 3

工作压力大得让人透不过气。

Gōngzuò yālì dà de ràng rén tòubuguòqì.

The work pressure is so great it's suffocating.

HSK 7-9

房间里太闷了，透不过气来。

Fángjiān lǐ tài mēn le, tòubùguòqì lái.

The room is too stuffy, I can't breathe.

Tips

usage

Often used figuratively to describe overwhelming pressure or stress. The full form is 透不过气来. Compare with 喘不过气, which is more common and has the same meaning.

Stroke Order

透 tòu

不 bù

过 guò

气 qì