guhumeka

How to say it

Meaning

to breathe, or to draw a sudden breath as in a gasp or a sigh.

Good to know

Covers both ordinary breathing and a single sharp intake of breath — a gasp of shock, a sigh of relief — and extends to breathing life or inspiration into someone.

Examples

• Umurwayi araguma ahumeka nabi.The patient keeps breathing badly.
• Yahumetse cane amaze kubona inzoka.He gasped hard when he saw the snake.
• Ntiyari akiri gushobora guhumeka neza.He could no longer breathe properly.
• Impwemu y'Imana irahumeka mu mitima y'abantu.The Spirit of God breathes into people's hearts.

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