expression, Godan verb

  1. to have one's breath taken away, to gasp (in surprise, wonder, etc.), to have one's breath catch in one's throat, to gulp.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
息を呑む いきをのむ
 
 
 
息をのむ いきをのむ
 
 
息を飲む いきをのむ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

breath, respiration, son
いき ソク (3rd, N3)
oneself
ジ みずか.ら おの.ずから (2nd, N4)
dot, tick or dot radical (no. 3)
チュ (Kentei 1)
eye, class, look
め モク ボク (1st, N4)
heart, mind, spirit
こころ シン (2nd, N4)
drink
の.む トン (Kentei Pre-1)
early death, calamity
ヨウ オウ カ (Kentei 1)
katakana no radical (no. 4)
ヘツ えい よう (Kentei 1)
large, big
ダイ おお- た (1st, N5)
one, one radical (no.1)
イチ いっ ひと- (1st, N5)
person
ひと ニン ジン (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)