About
The character "嗽" has consistently represented the act of coughing, with its core meaning remaining stable over time. Its traditional form is structured from the semantic component "口" (mouth) on the left, indicating an action related to the mouth or throat, combined with "欶" on the right, which historically served as a phonetic element but also carries connotations of sucking or drawing in, aptly describing the physical mechanism of a cough. This phonetic component "欶" is itself composed of "束" (to bind) and "欠" (a pictograph of a person with an open mouth, implying a lack or breath), adding a layer of imagery to the character that suggests a constricted or involuntary expulsion of air. While the character’s application has broadened slightly in compound words to describe related throat actions, its fundamental association with the symptom of coughing has been its primary and enduring function.
Example Sentences Hide
我爸爸咳嗽了。
感冒会引起咳嗽。
咳嗽时请捂住嘴巴。
你咳嗽多久了？
他因为吸烟经常咳嗽。
医生建议我喝咳嗽药水。
如果咳嗽持续不退，你应该去看医生。
在公共场合咳嗽时，使用口罩可以防止传播病菌。