打喷嚏

You use it just like a regular verb. If you feel a sneeze coming on, you can say it. If you see someone else sneezing, you use it to describe them. Because it is a 'separable verb,' you can actually stick words in the middle. For example, you can say 打了一个喷嚏 to mean 'let out a sneeze.' It is simple, direct, and very useful.

Use this anytime biology strikes. It is perfect for telling a doctor your symptoms. You can use it when explaining why you are late (maybe you had a sneezing fit?). It is also great for casual chats about allergies. If the pollen count is high, you will hear this phrase everywhere. It is safe for both work and home.

Do not use this for coughing or blowing your nose. Those have their own specific words. Also, avoid using it in a very poetic or flowery way. It is a biological function, so it is not exactly 'romantic.' If you are trying to be extremely polite in a quiet library, maybe just do the action quietly instead of announcing it!

In China, there is a fun superstition about sneezing. If you sneeze once, it means someone is missing you. If you sneeze twice, it means someone is speaking ill of you behind your back. If you sneeze three times, you probably just have a cold! People often joke about this when they have a random sneeze during a meal.

You will often hear 打个喷嚏 (dǎ gè pēntì) in casual speech. Adding the 个 makes it sound more relaxed and 'one-off.' If someone is sneezing non-stop, you might say 一直打喷嚏. In some southern dialects, people might use slightly different sounds, but 打喷嚏 is understood by absolutely everyone in the Mandarin-speaking world.