Respirar vs. inspirar vs. espirar
While the Spanish words respirar, inspirar, and espirar all relate to the act of breathing, they are not interchangeable. Each word describes a specific part of the process or carries a distinct metaphorical meaning, much like breathe, inhale, and exhale in English.
Respirar
A2This is the most general and common verb, meaning to breathe. It describes the complete, continuous process of taking air in and pushing it out. It can also be used metaphorically to mean feeling relief or taking a break.
Es importante respirar profundamente para calmar la ansiedad.
(It is important to breathe deeply to calm anxiety.)
Los astronautas necesitan trajes especiales para respirar en el espacio.
(Astronauts need special suits to breathe in space.)
Después de una semana de mucho trabajo, por fin puedo respirar.
(After a week of hard work, I can finally breathe.)
En el campo se puede respirar aire puro.
(In the countryside, you can breathe fresh air.)
Inspirar
B1This word specifically means to inhale or to breathe in. It refers to the first half of the breathing cycle. Additionally, and very commonly, inspirar also means to inspire, as in to motivate someone or to give them an idea.
El instructor de yoga nos dijo que debemos inspirar por la nariz y no por la boca.
(The yoga instructor told us that we should inhale through the nose and not the mouth.)
Me gusta inspirar el aroma de las flores en primavera.
(I like to breathe in the scent of flowers in the spring.)
El discurso del presidente logró inspirar a toda la nación.
(The president's speech managed to inspire the entire nation.)
Ese pintor dice que el mar le sirve para inspirar sus obras.
(That painter says the sea serves to inspire his works.)
Espirar
B2This word specifically means to exhale or to breathe out. It is the second half of the breathing cycle. It is often considered more technical or formal than its common synonym, exhalar. Espirar also has a distinct second meaning: to expire or to die, often used in a literary or formal context. It is also used for deadlines.
El médico le pidió al paciente que soplara al espirar.
(The doctor asked the patient to blow when exhaling.)
Al espirar, debes sentir cómo tu abdomen se contrae.
(When you breathe out, you should feel your abdomen contract.)
El plazo para pagar la factura espiró la semana pasada.
(The deadline to pay the bill expired last week.)
En la novela, el viejo soldado espiró en paz durante la noche.
(In the novel, the old soldier expired peacefully during the night.)
Summary
In summary, respirar is the general term for the entire action of to breathe. Inspirar specifically means to breathe in and is also used to mean to inspire. Espirar specifically means to breathe out (often in a technical context) and also has the important meaning of to expire or to die. For everyday conversation, respirar is the go-to word for breathing in general.