The physical act of coughing is universal, but the cultural response and understanding in China have unique aspects, largely influenced by Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
In Western medicine, a cough is typically categorized by its cause (viral, bacterial, allergies) or its physical nature (productive vs. non-productive). In China, while Western medicine is prevalent, the traditional framework is still a huge part of everyday life and conversation about health.
TCM and The “Nature” of a Cough:
A Chinese doctor (or even a friend or grandmother) might diagnose a cough based on its perceived “nature”:
热咳 (rèké) - “Hot Cough”: Characterized by a loud, barking cough, thick yellow phlegm, a sore throat, and a feeling of heat or fever. The advice is to avoid “hot” or “fiery” foods (上火, shànghuǒ) like fried chicken, spicy hot pot, and lamb. Instead, you'd be encouraged to eat “cooling” foods like pears, winter melon, or mung beans.
寒咳 (hánkè) - “Cold Cough”: Characterized by a weaker cough, thin or clear phlegm, chills, and no thirst. The advice here is the opposite: avoid “cold” foods like watermelon, salads, and ice cream. Ginger tea would be highly recommended.
This “hot/cold” dichotomy is a fundamental concept in Chinese wellness that doesn't exist in the same way in the West. It's a holistic view that connects diet, environment, and physical symptoms in a way that can be fascinating for a learner to observe.
咳嗽 (késou) is a standard, neutral term used in all situations, from casual chats to formal medical consultations.
Describing Your Symptoms: This is the most common use. You'll use it at the doctor's office, at a pharmacy, or when calling in sick to work.
Expressing Concern: You might use it to ask about a friend or family member's health.
On Medicine Packaging: You will see the characters on packaging for cough syrups (咳嗽糖浆, késou tángjiāng) or lozenges. The character 止 (zhǐ), meaning “to stop,” is often paired with it, as in 止咳 (zhǐké), meaning “to stop a cough.”