cough
word
/ˈkɑf/
kawf
/kˈɒf/
kof
Definition
A cough is a sudden action that pushes air out of your throat and lungs, often because something is irritating them or because you are sick. As a verb, it means to make that sound or action.
Usage & Nuances
Very common in both noun and verb forms: 'I have a cough' and 'I'm coughing.' Common combinations: 'dry cough,' 'bad cough,' 'cough medicine,' and 'cough syrup.' Learners often confuse 'cough' with 'cold': a cough is one symptom, while a cold is an illness.
Spanish: tos - toserPortuguese (BR): tosse - tossirPortuguese (PT): tosse - tossirChinese (Simplified): 咳嗽Chinese (Traditional): 咳嗽Hindi: खाँसी - खाँसनाArabic: سعال - يسعلBengali: কাশিRussian: кашель - кашлятьJapanese: 咳（せき） - 咳をするVietnamese: ho - ho (động từ)Korean: 기침 - 기침하다Turkish: öksürük - öksürmekUrdu: کھانسیIndonesian: batuk - batuk (kata kerja)
Example Sentences
I have a cough today.
basic
The smoke made her cough.
basic
He has a dry cough at night.
basic
If you keep coughing like that, you should see a doctor.
natural
Sorry, I couldn't sleep because he was coughing all night.
natural
That dry cough just won't go away.
natural