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"Inhalar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to inhale", and "exhalar" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to exhale". Learn more about the difference between "inhalar" and "exhalar" below.
inhalar(
een
-
ah
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to inhale
Logré escapar de la casa en llamas, pero inhalé mucho humo.I managed to escape the burning house, but I inhaled a lot of smoke.
b. to sniff (through the nose)
Ana cerró los ojos y inhaló el delicado aroma de las flores.Ana closed her eyes and sniffed the delicate scent of the flowers.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to inhale
Mientras meditas, inhala y exhala lenta y profundamente.Inhale and exhale slowly and deeply while you're meditating.
exhalar(
ehk
-
sah
-
lahr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
a. to exhale
Cuando respiramos, inhalamos aire y exhalamos dióxido de carbono.When we breathe, we inhale air and exhale carbon dioxide.
b. to breathe out
Vi a varios fumadores en el café exhalando humo lentamente.I saw many smokers at the café breathing out smoke slowly.
2. (to emit)
b. to utter (moan or complaint)
María pasó toda la tarde exhalando quejas sobre el transporte público.Maria spent the whole afternoon uttering complaints about public transportation.
c. to give off (scent)
Las velas en la habitación exhalaban un aroma a lavanda.The candles in the room gave off a scent of lavender.
