How to say "gasp" in Japanese

• ハァハァ
  adverb, suru verbAn onomatopoeic rendering of the sound of gasping or panting — the repeated huff of labored breath after a sprint or when someone fights for air. It paints the noise rather than naming the act.
  泳ぎ手およぎては頭あたまを上あげて、はあはあと息いきを吸すった。↗

  The swimmer raised his head and gasped for breath.
• 喘ぐあえぐ
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for the physical struggle to breathe — gasping or panting hard after running or climbing, or when air runs short. Reach for this when 'gasp' means the body fighting for breath.
• 息の下いきのした
  nounA noun phrase — literally 'under the breath' — not a verb for the act of gasping, so it is seldom the word you want; it appears in descriptions of a faint, breathy voice or sound.
• 息づくいきづく
  godan verb, intransitive verbBroader than a true gasp: essentially 'to breathe', often heavily, shading toward a sigh. It suits someone breathing hard after exertion, but for a sharp, sudden gasp 喘ぐ is the surer choice.
• 息を弾ませるいきをはずませる
  expression, ichidan verbLiterally 'to make one's breath bounce': it depicts breath turning quick and uneven, from running, hurrying, or excitement. Choose it when 'gasp' means being short of breath or breathless with excitement.

Use 「喘ぐ」 for gasping or panting for breath, 「息を弾ませる」 for breath quickened by exertion or excitement, 「ハァハァ」 for the audible sound of labored breathing, 「息づく」 for heavy breathing shading into a sigh; 「息の下」 is only marginal.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• ハァハァgasp
• 喘ぐあえぐto gasp
• 息の下いきのしたgasp
• 息づくいきづくto breathe (heavily)
• 息を弾ませるいきをはずませるto pant
• 息せき切るいきせききるto pant (while rushing)
• 息を呑むいきをのむto have one's breath taken away
• ゼーゼー言うゼーゼーいうto wheeze
• 息急きいきせきpant
• 急くせくto quicken (of one's breath)