咳嗽
How to Understand
咳嗽 (késou) is the Chinese verb for 'to cough' in a physiological sense, referring to the reflex action of expelling air from the lungs due to irritation or illness. It is distinct from other expressions like 咳痰 (ké tán), which specifically refers to coughing up phlegm.
The character 咳 (hāi) originally meant 'a sound made when coughing,' and 嗽 (sòu) is an onomatopoeic representation of the sound of coughing. Together, they form a word that precisely captures the act of coughing.
Coughing is a common symptom in many respiratory illnesses, and in Chinese culture, it is often associated with health concerns. People may use phrases like 咳嗽不止 (késou bùzhǐ) to describe persistent coughing. It is also used in idiomatic expressions, such as 咳嗽一声 (késou yīshēng), meaning 'to cough once,' often used metaphorically.