Entry
はあはあ
haahaa
The sound of panting or breathing heavily, usually from physical exertion or excitement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word that represents the sound of heavy, rapid breathing. It is most commonly used to describe someone panting after running or exercising, a dog panting in the heat, or someone breathing heavily due to extreme excitement or nervousness.
- panting from exhaustion
- breathing heavily from excitement
Sense Map
Physical Exertion
Panting heavily after exercising, running, or climbing stairs.
走った後ではあはあする
Heat or Excitement
Rapid breathing caused by feeling hot (like a dog) or being overly excited.
暑さで犬がはあはあしている
Usage Note
How to Use
はあはあする
Used as a suru-verb to state the action of panting.
はあはあ言う
Literally 'saying haa haa', used to describe the sound of someone's heavy breathing.
はあはあ（と）
Used as an adverb modifying another action, like walking or speaking while panting.
はあはあしながら
Means 'while panting', often used to describe two simultaneous actions.
How to Use
Common Phrases
はあはあする
to pant
息をはあはあさせる
to be out of breath / make oneself pant
はあはあ言いながら
while panting loudly
犬がはあはあしている
the dog is panting
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| After exercise | neutral | Simply describes the physical state of needing air. |
| Excessive excitement | negative | Can sometimes imply someone is uncomfortably over-eager or dangerously excited. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぜえぜえ ぜえぜえ / contrast | Use for painful wheezing, such as from asthma, severe illness, or extreme exhaustion. | ぜえぜえ sounds much rougher and heavier, indicating distress in the lungs or throat, whereas はあはあ is normal heavy breathing. | 風邪でぜえぜえ咳き込む |
ふうふう ふうふう / contrast | Use for blowing air to cool something hot, or for lighter, puffy breathing. | ふうふう implies pursed lips blowing air, while はあはあ is an open-mouthed pant. | スープをふうふう冷ます |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using はあはあ to describe blowing on hot coffee.
Use ふうふう instead. はあはあ means panting with an open mouth, not blowing air.
Translating a single sigh as はあはあ.
A single sigh is はあ (without repetition) or ため息 (tameiki). はあはあ requires continuous, heavy breathing.
Examples
Examples
走った後で、はあはあしている。
はしったあとで、はあはあしている。
I am panting after running.
LiteralA standard example of panting from exercise.
階段を上って、息をはあはあさせた。
かいだんをのぼって、いきをはあはあさせた。
I was out of breath after climbing the stairs.
LiteralUses the causative 'saseru' to show the physical activity caused the heavy breathing.
暑さで犬がはあはあしている。
あつさでいぬがはあはあしている。
The dog is panting because of the heat.
LiteralExtremely common usage for describing dogs.
彼女は緊張で少しはあはあしていた。
かのじょはきんちょうですこしはあはあしていた。
She was breathing a bit heavily from nervousness.
FigurativeShows strong emotions causing heavy breathing.
急いで走ってきたので、はあはあ言いながら話した。
いそいではしってきたので、はあはあいいながらはなした。
Because he came running in a hurry, he spoke while panting.
LiteralShows the action of speaking while out of breath.
Similar Words
ぜえぜえ
zeezee
Used for painful or rough wheezing due to illness, unlike simple panting.
ふうふう
fuufuu
Used for blowing air (like on hot food), distinct from panting.
Questions
Can I use はあはあ for a single deep breath?
No. For a single deep breath or sigh, use 'ha' (はあ) or 'tameiki' (ため息). はあはあ implies continuous panting.
Is it okay to use this for animals?
Yes, it is extremely common for describing a dog panting in the heat.
Does it always imply exhaustion?
Mostly yes, but it can also be used for breathing heavily due to fear, nervousness, or extreme excitement.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- にゃー (nyaa)
- Next entry
- ばさり (basari)