压抑 (yāyì)

压抑 describes the act of suppressing emotions or feelings, or the quality of an environment that feels stifling and oppressive, lacking freedom or relief.

Meanings

[verb] to suppress; to repress (emotions, desires)
[adjective] oppressive; stifling; depressing (describing atmosphere or mood)

Example Sentences

他一直压抑着内心的愤怒。 Tā yīzhí yāyì zhe nèixīn de fènnù. He has been suppressing the anger in his heart all along.

长期压抑情绪对健康有害。 Chángqī yāyì qíngxù duì jiànkāng yǒuhài. Suppressing emotions for a long time is harmful to health.

这个城市的氛围让她感到十分压抑。 Zhège chéngshì de fēnwéi ràng tā gǎndào shífēn yāyì. The atmosphere of this city made her feel very oppressed.

孩子在压抑的家庭环境中很难健康成长。 Háizi zài yāyì de jiātíng huánjìng zhōng hěn nán jiànkāng chéngzhǎng. Children find it hard to grow up healthily in a stifling family environment.

她走出门，终于摆脱了那种压抑的感觉。 Tā zǒuchū mén, zhōngyú bǎituō le nà zhǒng yāyì de gǎnjué. She walked out the door and finally shook off that oppressive feeling.

压抑的政治环境限制了公民的表达自由。 Yāyì de zhèngzhì huánjìng xiànzhì le gōngmín de biǎodá zìyóu. The oppressive political environment restricted citizens' freedom of expression.

Collocations

Collocation	Meaning
压抑情绪	to suppress emotions
压抑感	a feeling of oppression / suppression
感到压抑	to feel oppressed / stifled
压抑的氛围	an oppressive / stifling atmosphere
压抑自己	to suppress oneself

Usage Notes

压抑 can function as both a verb and an adjective. As a verb, it takes an emotional object such as 情绪 (emotions), 愤怒 (anger), or 欲望 (desires). As an adjective, it modifies nouns like 环境 (environment), 氛围 (atmosphere), or 心情 (mood).

It differs from 抑制, which is more clinical and neutral (e.g., suppressing a disease or a reaction). 压抑 carries a stronger emotional and psychological connotation and implies that something natural is being forcibly held back, often with negative consequences.

Memory Hook

压 is "press down" and 抑 is "restrain" -- 压抑 means to press down and restrain something, like holding a lid on a boiling pot of emotions.