Definition
压抑 (yā yì) means to repress or hold back emotions or desires, often resulting in a stifling or oppressive feeling. It differs from 抑制 (yì zhì), which is more clinical (suppress a biological reaction), and from 憋 (biē), which is colloquial for holding back breath/urge. Unlike 压迫 (yā pò), which refers to external political/social oppression, 压抑 is internal and emotional.
verb
to repressto constrain (emotions or desires)(stative) to be oppressiveto feel stifled or depressed
Examples
- 压抑。Tā bù yīnggāi bǎ qíngxù yā yì zài xīnli.He shouldn't repress his emotions inside.
- 压抑。Zhège fángjiān de qìfēn tài yā yì le.The atmosphere in this room is too oppressive.
- 压抑。Chángqī yā yì de shēnghuó ràng tā hěn tòngkǔ.Living in long-term oppression made him very miserable.
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