气喘 literally means 'qi (vital energy or air) + pant/breathe heavily' and refers to the medical symptom of shortness of breath — a feeling of breathlessness, difficulty inhaling, or labored breathing. It is commonly associated with respiratory conditions like asthma, chronic bronchitis, or heart failure, but can also occur temporarily during intense exercise or anxiety.

Unlike the more clinical term 呼吸困难 (hūxī kùnnán), 气喘 carries a slightly colloquial yet medically recognized tone and often implies audible wheezing or rapid, shallow breathing. It functions as a noun in sentences, typically appearing after subjects (e.g., 他有气喘) or as the object of verbs like 有, 出现, or 缓解. While it may occasionally appear in descriptions of animals (e.g., dogs after running), its primary domain is human health and clinical contexts.