咳嗽
To cough
Littéralement: Cough (ke) + Sough (sou)
Use `咳嗽` for any physical cough, from medical symptoms to clearing your throat awkwardly.
En 15 secondes
- The standard term for the physical act of coughing.
- Used as both a verb and a noun in daily life.
- Often associated with TCM concepts like 'body heat' or dryness.
Signification
It's the physical act of coughing. You use it when you're sick or trying to clear your throat.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the doctor's office
医生，我最近一直咳嗽。
Doctor, I have been coughing lately.
Texting a friend about a cold
感冒了，咳嗽得好难受。
I caught a cold, the coughing feels terrible.
In a quiet meeting
不好意思，我有点咳嗽。
Sorry, I have a bit of a cough.
Contexte culturel
In Chinese culture, a cough is often seen as a sign of an imbalance in body temperature. Traditional remedies like 'Nin Jiom Pei Pa Koa' (a famous herbal syrup) are iconic and found in almost every household. During the winter, you'll see many people wearing masks in public specifically to prevent spreading a cough.
The Pear Secret
If you tell a Chinese friend you are `咳嗽`, they will likely tell you to eat a steamed pear with rock sugar. It's the ultimate 'grandma' cure!
Intensity Matters
Always use `厉害` (lìhai) to describe a bad cough. It doesn't mean 'awesome' here; it means 'severe'.
En 15 secondes
- The standard term for the physical act of coughing.
- Used as both a verb and a noun in daily life.
- Often associated with TCM concepts like 'body heat' or dryness.
What It Means
咳嗽 is the standard way to say 'to cough' in Chinese. It covers everything from a tiny tickle in your throat to a full-blown chest cold. It is a verb, but it often acts like a noun in daily speech. You will hear it everywhere during flu season.
How To Use It
You usually pair it with the verb 有 (to have) or 在 (to be doing). If you want to say you have a cough, say 我有咳嗽. If you are currently coughing, say 我在咳嗽. It is very straightforward. You can also add words like 厉害 (severe) to show how bad it is.
When To Use It
Use it at the doctor's office to describe your symptoms. Use it with friends when you need to explain why you can't go out. It is also useful in a quiet theater when you need to apologize for making noise. If you are texting a boss to take a sick day, this is your go-to word.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for sneezing; that is 打喷嚏. Don't use it if you are just choking on water; that is usually 呛到. If you are trying to 'cough up' money (paying someone), this literal word won't work. It is strictly for the physical sound and action of your lungs.
Cultural Background
In China, coughing is often linked to 'internal heat' or 上火. People might suggest you eat a pear or drink honey water instead of just taking medicine. There is a huge culture around 'healing foods' for a cough. You might get unsolicited advice from a taxi driver if you cough in his car!
Common Variations
If it’s a bad cough, people say 咳得很厉害. If you are just clearing your throat, you might use 清嗓子. In casual text, some people just type 咳咳 to mimic the sound. It’s like typing 'ahem' in English to get someone's attention or show awkwardness.
Notes d'usage
咳嗽 is a neutral, standard term suitable for all settings. There are no major 'gotchas' other than ensuring you use '厉害' for severity rather than '非常'.
The Pear Secret
If you tell a Chinese friend you are `咳嗽`, they will likely tell you to eat a steamed pear with rock sugar. It's the ultimate 'grandma' cure!
Intensity Matters
Always use `厉害` (lìhai) to describe a bad cough. It doesn't mean 'awesome' here; it means 'severe'.
Don't mix with Sneezing
New learners often mix up `咳嗽` (cough) and `打喷嚏` (sneeze). Remember: `咳嗽` is from the throat/chest!
Exemples
6医生，我最近一直咳嗽。
Doctor, I have been coughing lately.
A standard way to report a medical symptom.
感冒了，咳嗽得好难受。
I caught a cold, the coughing feels terrible.
Uses 'de' to describe the intensity of the cough.
不好意思，我有点咳嗽。
Sorry, I have a bit of a cough.
A polite apology for making noise.
咳咳，我们开始吧。
Ahem (cough cough), let's begin.
Using the sound to break tension or start a topic.
宝贝，你还在咳嗽吗？
Baby, are you still coughing?
Shows concern for someone's health.
请问有治咳嗽的药吗？
Excuse me, is there any medicine for a cough?
Using the word as a noun to find a remedy.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence about being sick.
我不舒服，一直在___。
Since the person is 'not feeling well' (不舒服), 'coughing' (咳嗽) is the only logical health-related action.
How do you say the cough is severe?
他咳嗽得很___。
In Chinese, '厉害' (lìhai) is used to describe a severe or intense condition like a cough.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 咳嗽
Mimicking the sound 'Ke ke' in texts.
咳咳 (Ahem)
Everyday conversation about health.
我咳嗽了。
Medical or professional reporting.
患者有严重咳嗽症状。
Where to use 咳嗽
Hospital
Reporting symptoms
Pharmacy
Buying syrup
Library
Apologizing for noise
Dinner Table
Choking slightly
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt can be both! You can say 我咳嗽 (I cough) or 我有咳嗽 (I have a cough).
You can say 干咳 (gānké). It literally translates to 'dry cough'.
Yes, 咳嗽 is used for both humans and animals.
Most people use 枇杷膏 (pípágāo), a thick herbal syrup that tastes like honey and menthol.
It's generally accepted if you cover your mouth or wear a mask, which is very common.
Just write 咳咳 (ké ké). It’s the perfect way to signal awkwardness or 'pay attention'.
Not really. It is a very literal medical term, though 咳 can be used onomatopoeically.
咳 is the single character for the action, while 咳嗽 is the full formal word. In speech, 咳嗽 is more common.
You could say 别对着我咳嗽 (Bié duìzhe wǒ késou), though it's a bit blunt!
Chinese often pairs similar-meaning characters to create a two-syllable word, which is easier to hear and distinguish.
Expressions liées
感冒
To have a cold
发烧
To have a fever
喉咙痛
Sore throat
打喷嚏
To sneeze
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