¿Cómo se dice "A catch in her breath"?

Question

Or perhaps "a hitch in her breath"?

I'm referring to a sudden change in a person's breathing, sort of like a gasp, when they are surprised or upset. Most of the translations I've looked up only describe "catching your breath".

Excellent question! - gringojrf, Nov 8, 2013

Answer 1

In this case, "su respiración se agitó"

;-D

That would translate roughly as "Her breathing became fluttered", which sounds like the closest term I'm looking for. Thanks. - Notedstrangeperson, Nov 10, 2013

Answer 2

I looked up "gasp" and found this. I hope it helps.

gasp [???sp] noun (for breath) boqueada (f); (panting) jadeo (m); [of surprise] grito (m) ahogado she gave a gasp of surprise dio un grito ahogado de asombro; to be at one's last gasp (dying) estar agonizando; estar dando las últimas boqueadas verb:intransitive (for air) respirar con dificultad; (pant) jadear; (in surprise) gritar he was gasping for air or breath le costaba respirar; le faltaba el aliento; I was gasping for a smoke tenía unas ganas tremendas de fumar verb:transitive (also gasp out) decir con voz entrecortada

Also you might try "boquear".

Answer 3

la última boqueada. --The last gasp.

La chica dio una larga boqueada y se quedó inmóvil.