Portuguese · Body & Health
"to breathe" in Portuguese: respirar
respirar
To breathe in Portuguese is respirar. Coaches and friends say respira fundo; eu respiro keeps the verb clear in first person.
Yoga class
Eu respiro fundo e solto o ar devagar.Speak with an AI partner · 7 days free
How to pronounce respirar
Say it
hes-pee-RAHR / hes-PEE-roo
/ʁes.pi.ˈɾaʁ/
hes-pee-RAHR. Eu respiro is hes-PEE-roo.
"to breathe" in Portuguese: quick reference
| Portuguese | English | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| respirar | to breathe Dictionary form. | Dictionary form. |
| eu respiro | I breathe Present first person. | Present first person. |
| respira fundo | breathe deeply Calming command. | Calming command. |
| respirei | I breathed / I took a breath Past. | Past. |
How to use respirar in real life
- 1Yoga class
Eu respiro fundo e solto o ar devagar.
I breathe deeply and let the air out slowly.
Respiro is clearly the verb.
- 2After sprinting
Para um segundo—respira comigo.
Stop a second—breathe with me.
Imperative respira.
- 3Doctor check
Respirei melhor depois do remédio.
I breathed better after the medicine.
Respirei = past.
Mistakes English speakers make with respirar
Incorrect: Eu respirar fundo.
Correct: Eu respiro fundo.
Conjugate: eu respiro.
Incorrect: Minha respiração (as the verb practice).
Correct: Eu respiro. / Respira.
Respiração is the noun; use respirar forms for the verb.
Good to know
Respira fundo is a universal Brazilian comfort line in traffic, clinics, and arguments. Swimmers and singers also drill respiração, but your verb practice should stay on respiro/respira.
Try it in a ChatPal conversation
Calming nerves before a talk
ChatPal
Respira fundo comigo.
Breathe deeply with me.
You
Eu respiro… okay, melhor.
I breathe… okay, better.
ChatPal
De novo. Devagar.
Again. Slowly.
You
Pronto. Vamos.
Ready. Let's go.
This is a sample. In ChatPal you have this conversation out loud and get feedback on what you say.
Practice this conversation in ChatPal"to breathe" in other languages
FAQ
Common questions about "to breathe" in Portuguese
Breathe in / out?
Inspira / expira, or puxa o ar / solta o ar.
I can't breathe?
Não consigo respirar—seek help if real.
Deep breath?
Respira fundo / um suspiro fundo.
Noun form?
A respiração—different from the verb.
Learn a word, then use it out loud
- Step 1: See it in context
- Step 2: Say it out loud
- Step 3: Get feedback
- Step 4: Use it in real scenarios
