keuchen

to wheeze; to gasp for breath

verb OWF-vaerm-roon-deh Rare

Usage Note

keuchen is more intense than schnaufen, describing laboured breathing that sounds forced or strained. It occurs with heavy exertion, asthma, or respiratory distress. Keuchhusten (whooping cough) shares the root.

Examples

"Der Asthmatiker keuchte nach dem Treppensteigen und musste seinen Inhalator benutzen."

Natural Translation

The asthmatic wheezed after climbing the stairs and had to use his inhaler.

Literal Translation

The asthmatic wheezed after the stair-climbing and had his inhaler to use.

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