gasping

gasping — 動詞

  • gaspingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • gaspings3rd person singular
  • gaspinging-ing form
  • gaspingedpast simple

1. to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frighte

1.動詞不及物B2
釋義

倒抽一口氣

因驚嚇或疼痛突然吸一口氣

to suddenly pull in a quick, audible breath because something surprises, frightens, or hurts you.

例句

Ilan gasped when the magician pulled a live rabbit from the empty hat.

魔術師從空帽子裡拉出一隻活兔時，Ilan 倒抽了一口氣。

gasp + when-clause for a sudden surprised reaction

The whole audience gasped in shock as the dancer slipped off the stage.

舞者從舞台上滑落時，全場觀眾驚得倒抽了一口氣。

gasp in + emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement)

同義詞
  • exclaim

    exclaim is the spoken reaction; gasp is just the breath

  • start

    start = jump from surprise; gasp = the breath that goes with it

文法句型

gasp

gasp at + noun

gasp in + emotion noun

用法筆記

Frequently followed by 'at' (the trigger) or 'in' + an emotion noun (shock, horror, amazement). Distinguish from sense 2: this is one quick involuntary breath, not ongoing labored breathing.

常見錯誤

❌Christopher gasped for the news.
✅Christopher gasped at the news.
💡use 'at' for the thing that surprises you, not 'for'.

2. to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for exampl

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

喘氣；喘息

因缺氧而吃力地大口呼吸

to breathe noisily and with effort because you cannot get enough air, for example after running hard or because of illness.

例句

Ishaan reached the top of the hill and stood gasping for breath.

Ishaan 爬到山頂時站著喘氣。

collocation: gasp for breath (after exertion)

The old dog lay on the kitchen floor, gasping for air in the heat.

那隻老狗躺在廚房地板上，在熱浪中大口喘氣。

collocation: gasp for air

同義詞
  • pant

    pant emphasises the quick rhythm; gasp emphasises the effort and noise

  • wheeze

    wheeze is a whistling breath from illness; gasping is broader

文法句型

gasp for breath

gasp for air

用法筆記

Almost always followed by 'for breath' or 'for air'. Subject is usually a person or animal who has just exerted themselves, is hurt, or is struggling with smoke, water, or illness. Distinguish from sense 1: here the breathing is ongoing and labored, not one sharp intake.

常見錯誤

❌Bao was gasping the air after the long run.
✅Bao was gasping for air after the long run.
💡you gasp FOR air, not gasp the air directly.

3. to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually beca

3.動詞及物C1
釋義

氣喘吁吁地說

上氣不接下氣地擠出短話

to say something in short broken words while struggling to breathe, usually because of shock, pain, or exhaustion.

例句

"Call an ambulance," Defne gasped, pressing one hand against her chest.

「快叫救護車。」Defne 氣喘吁吁地說，一手按著胸口。

gasp + direct speech for short urgent words

Jenna gasped out the address before she fainted on the sofa.

Jenna 氣喘吁吁地說出地址，接著就在沙發上昏了過去。

gasp out + the words said

同義詞
  • splutter

    splutter mixes coughing with the words; gasp is just breathless

  • pant

    pant can also report breathless speech but is less dramatic than gasp

文法句型

gasp + direct speech

gasp + that-clause

gasp out + words

用法筆記

Almost always reports very short urgent speech — a name, a warning, a brief sentence — not long explanations. Often pairs with the particle 'out' (gasp out the words). Distinguish from sense 2: here the focus is on what the person said, not just on how they breathed.

常見錯誤

❌Felipe gasped a long story about the accident.
✅Felipe gasped a few words about the accident.
💡gasping fits short urgent speech, not long narration.

gasping — 名詞