US Medical Term · symptoms
Rapid Breathing
Respiración rápida
Also: Taquipnea (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Rapid Breathing |
| Spanish (Español) | Respiración rápida |
| Chinese (中文) | 呼吸急促 |
| Korean (한국어) | 빠른 호흡 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Thở nhanh |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Mabilis na paghinga |
| Portuguese (Português) | Respiração rápida |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | หายใจเร็ว |
| Japanese (日本語) | 頻呼吸 |
What it means
Rapid breathing, medically called tachypnea, means breathing faster than normal. In adults, a resting breathing rate above 20 breaths per minute is generally considered rapid. It can be a natural response to exercise, fear, or excitement, but persistent rapid breathing at rest is a warning sign. Causes include anxiety or panic attacks, fever, infection, asthma, pulmonary embolism, heart failure, and diabetic ketoacidosis. Rapid breathing in children or infants, especially with nostril flaring, belly breathing, or skin pulling in between the ribs, warrants immediate medical attention.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I notice I'm breathing much faster than usual even when I'm resting.
Noto que respiro mucho más rápido de lo normal incluso cuando estoy en reposo.
My breathing has been fast and shallow all day.
He estado respirando rápido y superficialmente todo el día.
My child seems to be breathing very fast and working hard to breathe.
Mi hijo/a parece respirar muy rápido y con esfuerzo.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
R06 Abnormalities of breathingRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026