ため息・溜め息・溜息|ためいきtameiki[3]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
ため息ため息 is the most common written form and the recommended choice for beginners. It combines kanji and kana and is suitable as your default spelling.
溜息溜息 is less common than ため息 and is written entirely in kanji. You may encounter it as an alternative spelling, but beginners should generally choose ため息.
溜め息溜め息 is less common than 溜息 and ため息. It combines kanji and kana, so recognize it as a variant, but use ため息 when writing as a beginner.
Definitions
- nounsigh
Synonyms & antonyms
- Synonym嘆息たんそくWrittenWritten/formal prose word for sighing, often tinged with grief or regret; 「ため息」 is the everyday word.
- Synonym吐息といきNeutralA softly exhaled breath, often of relief or emotion, as in 「安堵の吐息」; neutral in register.
- Synonym大息おおいきWrittenA deep, long sigh; written/formal and used less often than 「ため息」.
- Related嘆声たんせいWrittenThe sound of a sigh of admiration or lament; written/formal prose.
- Antonym歓声かんせいNeutralA cheer or shout of joy — the opposite of a disappointed 「ため息」.
Use 「ため息」 for sighing in disappointment or wonder, as in 「ため息をつく」. In written prose, 「嘆息」 suits sorrowful sighing and 「嘆声」 a sighing sound; 「吐息」 is a soft breath of relief. For cheers of joy, use 「歓声」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
