窒息 zhìxī to choke
to choke; to stifle; to suffocate
怎么记住“窒息”: 窒 to obstruct + 息 breath = to choke.
汉字
用法
- To suffocate / be unable to breathe - 浓烟令人窒息 (nóngyān lìng rén zhìxī) the thick smoke is suffocating.
- Widely used figuratively for oppressive atmospheres: 令人窒息的气氛 a stifling atmosphere; 窒息的爱 smothering love.
- Register is somewhat formal/literary; medical and emotional contexts alike.