How to say cough in Chinese? 咳嗽 ké sou

It was my second winter in Tianjin, and the pollution had turned my throat into sandpaper. I walked into a pharmacy, pointed at my chest, and made a coughing sound like a broken seal. The pharmacist understood immediately. How to say cough in Chinese? The word is 咳嗽 (ké sou), and if you spend a winter in northern China, you will need it.

I have lived in Tianjin for 12 years, hold HSK5 certification, and have an Intercultural Studies degree. I have navigated Chinese pharmacies, clinics, and hospital waiting rooms enough times to know that describing symptoms accurately is a survival skill. This guide comes from real experience, not textbook examples.

In this guide, you will learn how to say cough in Chinese, related vocabulary for describing symptoms, and phrases for getting help when you are sick. If you are also learning about how to say fever in Chinese, this pairs perfectly with that lesson.

Key Takeaways

• The Chinese word for cough is 咳嗽 (ké sou), a two-syllable word with distinct tones.
• To describe a dry cough, say 干咳 (gān ké); for a wet cough with phlegm, say 咳嗽有痰 (ké sou yǒu tán).
• At a pharmacy, say 我咳嗽 (wǒ ké sou) followed by 有止咳药吗 (yǒu zhǐ ké yào ma) to ask for cough medicine.

Core Ways to Say Cough in Chinese

The Standard Term

The standard word for cough in Chinese is 咳嗽 (ké sou). This is a disyllabic word where both characters work together to form a single concept. Unlike some Chinese vocabulary where each character has an independent meaning, 咳嗽 functions as a complete unit. You will rarely hear someone say just 咳 or 嗽 alone in everyday conversation.

You will encounter this word in pharmacies, hospitals, and casual conversation throughout China. Whether you are in Beijing, Shanghai, or a small clinic in a third-tier city, 咳嗽 is universally understood. For pronunciation guidance and audio examples, ChineseClass101 offers excellent resources for mastering Chinese tones.

Types of Cough

Chinese distinguishes between different types of cough, which matters when describing symptoms to a doctor or pharmacist:

• 干咳 (gān ké): Dry cough – no phlegm, often caused by throat irritation or pollution
• 咳嗽有痰 (ké sou yǒu tán): Cough with phlegm – literally “cough has phlegm”
• 剧烈咳嗽 (jù liè ké sou): Severe cough – intense, violent coughing fits
• 夜咳 (yè ké): Night cough – coughing that gets worse at night
• 久咳 (jiǔ ké): Chronic cough – a cough that lingers for weeks

When visiting a pharmacy in Chinese, knowing these distinctions helps staff recommend the right medication. You might also want to learn how to talk about medicine before you go.

Pronunciation Guide

Pronouncing 咳嗽 (ké sou) correctly requires attention to the tones. The first syllable 咳 uses the second tone, which starts mid-low and rises upward. Think of it as “kuh” with your voice rising at the end, like you are asking a question.

The second syllable 嗽 uses the fourth tone, which starts high and drops sharply. It is a falling tone – like saying “soh” with your voice dropping decisively. Together, it flows as “KUH-soh” with a rising-falling pattern.

When I was preparing for my HSK5 exam, medical vocabulary like this appeared in listening comprehension sections. Getting the tones right matters because mispronouncing 咳 could lead to confusion. For detailed character information, Cambridge Dictionary provides reliable translations with context.

Related Vocabulary

Symptom Phrases

Here are practical phrases for describing cough-related symptoms:

• 我咳嗽 (wǒ ké sou): I have a cough
• 我咳得很厉害 (wǒ ké de hěn lì hai): I am coughing badly
• 喉咙痛 (hóu lóng tòng): Sore throat
• 有痰 (yǒu tán): Have phlegm
• 咳出血 (ké chū xiě): Coughing up blood
• 胸口闷 (xiōng kǒu mēn): Chest feels tight

These phrases are essential when visiting a clinic. Chinese doctors appreciate specific symptom descriptions rather than vague complaints. If you are dealing with other symptoms, check our guide on how to say headache in Chinese or how to say stomachache in Chinese.

Medical Expressions

Beyond basic symptoms, you may need these expressions:

• 止咳药 (zhǐ ké yào): Cough medicine
• 止咳糖浆 (zhǐ ké táng jiāng): Cough syrup
• 润喉糖 (rùn hóu táng): Throat lozenges
• 多喝水 (duō hē shuǐ): Drink more water
• 休息 (xiū xi): Rest
• 拍片 (pāi piàn): Take an X-ray

When I had a persistent cough during my first winter in Tianjin, I learned these phrases the hard way. Knowing how to ask for specific medications saved me from miming symptoms to confused pharmacists. For more on building Chinese medical vocabulary, Preply offers a comprehensive medical Chinese vocabulary guide that covers essential health terms.

Practical Usage

At the Pharmacy

Chinese pharmacies are well-stocked and pharmacists are generally helpful. Here is how to get what you need:

You: 我咳嗽，有止咳药吗？(Wǒ ké sou, yǒu zhǐ ké yào ma?)

Pharmacist: 有，干咳还是湿咳？(Yǒu, gān ké hái shì shī ké?)

You: 干咳。(Gān ké.)

Pharmacist: 这个糖浆效果不错。(Zhè ge táng jiāng xiào guǒ bù cuò.)

Most pharmacies in China carry a wide range of cough medicines, from traditional Chinese herbal remedies to modern pharmaceutical syrups. Prices are reasonable – expect to pay 15-40 RMB for most cough syrups.

At the Doctor

If your cough persists more than a week or is accompanied by fever, see a doctor. Here is what to expect:

The doctor will ask: 咳嗽多久了？(Ké sou duō jiǔ le? – How long have you been coughing?) and 有痰吗？(Yǒu tán ma? – Do you have phlegm?)

Be specific. Say 三天了 (sān tiān le) for three days, or 一个星期了 (yī gè xīng qī le) for a week. Describe the phlegm if present: 白色的 (bái sè de) for white, 黄色的 (huáng sè de) for yellow.

For learning strategies that help you retain medical vocabulary, Hacking Chinese offers excellent methods for building specialized word lists.

Common Mistakes

Watch out for these pitfalls:

• Saying just 咳: Always use the full word 咳嗽. Saying only 咳 sounds incomplete.
• Wrong tone on 嗽: Remember 嗽 is fourth tone (falling), not neutral. Getting this wrong can confuse listeners.
• Using 咳 alone for “clear throat”: The sound 咳 (hāi) can mean “hey” or clearing your throat. Context matters.
• Expecting Western medicine: Many Chinese pharmacies prioritize traditional remedies. Specify 西药 (xī yào) for Western medicine if that is what you prefer.

I learned most of these through trial and error. The first time I tried to buy cough medicine, I pointed at my throat and made coughing noises. It worked, but using the actual word is much more dignified.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to common questions about cough and health in China, based on what travelers and learners typically ask me.

Advanced ways for how to say cough in Chinese sentences

1. Chinese: 他咳了整整一个星期，终于去看医生了。
   Pinyin: Tā ké le zhěng zhěng yī gè xīng qī, zhōng yú qù kàn yī shēng le.
   English: He coughed for a whole week before finally going to see the doctor.
2. Chinese: 北京的冬天空气不好，很容易咳嗽。
   Pinyin: Běi jīng de dōng tiān kōng qì bù hǎo, hěn róng yì ké sou.
   English: The air in Beijing during winter is bad, so it is easy to get a cough.
3. Chinese: 医生说她只是感冒，多喝热水，休息几天就好了。
   Pinyin: Yī shēng shuō tā zhǐ shì gǎn mào, duō hē rè shuǐ, xiū xi jǐ tiān jiù hǎo le.
   English: The doctor said she just has a cold, drink more hot water, and rest for a few days.
4. Chinese: 这种止咳糖浆效果不错，我喝了一天就好多了。
   Pinyin: Zhè zhǒng zhǐ ké táng jiāng xiào guǒ bù cuò, wǒ hē le yī tiān jiù hǎo duō le.
   English: This cough syrup works well, I felt much better after drinking it for one day.
5. Chinese: 别抽那么多烟了，你每天早上都咳得很厉害。
   Pinyin: Bié chōu nà me duō yān le, nǐ měi tiān zǎo shang dōu ké de hěn lì hai.
   English: Stop smoking so much, you cough badly every morning.

Now that you have mastered how to say cough in Chinese, keep building your health vocabulary. Medical terms are essential for anyone living in or traveling through China. Check out our guide on how to say fever in Chinese for more symptom vocabulary, or learn how to say nurse in Chinese for hospital visits.