Definition
缺氧 is a separable verb (离合词) that describes a state of being deprived of oxygen — common in medical contexts, high-altitude settings, or enclosed spaces. The verb 缺 can separate from 氧 when duration or aspect is inserted, e.g. 缺了几天氧 ('lacked oxygen for a few days') or 缺过氧 ('experienced oxygen shortage'). You can also say 很缺氧 ('very hypoxic') as a stative verb.
v.o./s.v.
to be short of oxygento be hypoxic
Examples
- ，缺氧。Zhèlǐ de kōngqì xībó, hěn róngyì quē yǎng.The air here is thin, so it's easy to be short of oxygen.
- ，。Tā pá shān shí quē le yǎng, bèi sòng xià shān le.He became hypoxic while climbing the mountain and was sent back down.
- 缺氧。Bìngrén chángqī quē yǎng huì dǎozhì qìguān sǔnshāng.Long-term oxygen deprivation in patients can cause organ damage.
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