Korean word

가래

Pronunciation

Romanizationkarae

Meaning

  • nounphlegm

Example

목에 가래가 끼었어요.mo ge ka rae ga kki eo sseo yo

I have phlegm stuck in my throat.

Illustration for 가래 (phlegm)

More examples

가글을 했더니 가래가 줄었어요.ka geu reul haet tteo ni ka rae ga chu reo sseo yo

After gargling, I had less phlegm.

Core concept

A sticky substance that collects in the throat or airways and is cleared by coughing or swallowing.

Common phrases

  • 가래 섞인 기침ka rae seo kkin ki chim

    phlegmy cough

  • 가래가 걸쭉하다ka rae ga keol jju ka da

    thick phlegm

  • 가래가 잘 나오지 않다ka rae ga chal na o ji an ta

    hard-to-clear phlegm

Similar words

침chim: The watery fluid in the mouth that helps keep it wet and can be spit out.
콧물konmul: Watery mucus coming from the nose and running down the face.

Definition in Korean

기침할 때나 삼킬 때 목이나 기관지에 남아 있는 끈적한 분비물ki chim hal ttae na sam kil ttae mo gi na ki gwan ji e na ma in neun kkeun jeo kan pun bi mul

Word origin

The word is generally treated as native Korean, but its earlier history is uncertain, so it is best learned as a whole rather than through a guessed breakdown.

Usage tips

  • This noun is useful for short symptom updates, especially when describing whether the problem is present, increasing, or easing.

Related words

  • 가래침karaechimphlegmnoun
  • 가래덩어리karaedeongeoriclump of phlegmnoun

Word lists with this word