---
title: "Zhixi Meaning: 窒息 (zhìxī) Means “to suffocate”"
description: "窒息 (zhìxī) means “to suffocate; to choke”. Hear its tones, see what 窒 and 息 each mean and a real sentence that uses it."
canonical: "https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/zhixi"
published: "2026-10-21"
updated: "2026-11-06"
author: "Mandarin The Wild"
---

[What does it mean in Chinese?](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning)

# What does 窒息 mean?

猫头鹰māotóuyīngowl

窒息 zhìxī

## to suffocate; to choke

## It can also mean

- (fig.) stifling; breathtaking

## Its characters

1. 窒 zhì to obstruct
2. 息 xī breath (as in 气息)

## In a sentence

房间里太闷了，我快窒息了。 The room is so stuffy that I'm almost suffocating.

[More about 窒息](https://mandarinthewild.com/words/%E7%AA%92%E6%81%AF)

## More words with 窒 or 息

- [利息 lìxī](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/lixi)
- [气息 qìxī](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/qixi)
- [消息 xiāoxi](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiaoxi)
- [信息 xìnxī](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xinxi)
- [休息 xiūxi](https://mandarinthewild.com/meaning/xiuxi)

## Keep 窒息 for Review

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