Meanings of 叹气
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Podcast: 叹气
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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.
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.
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
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Jason Explains 叹气 to you
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Component characters
How to say to sigh in Chinese
“to sigh” in Chinese is叹气
叹气 (tànqì) means to sigh or to express a sense of longing, frustration, or resignation through a breathy exhale. This verb is commonly used in contexts where someone feels overwhelmed or reflective, often conveying emotions that are hard to articulate verbally.
When to use 叹气
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.
叹气 or something close to it
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.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 叹气
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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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
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)
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Cultural Notes for 叹气
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.
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