Korean word

기침

Pronunciation

Romanizationkichim

Meaning

  • nouncough

Example

감기에 걸려 기침이 계속 나요.kam gi e keol lyeo ki chi mi kye sok na yo

I caught a cold, and I keep coughing.

Illustration for 기침 (cough)

More examples

바깥이 추워서 기침이 났어요.pa kka chi chu wo seo ki chi mi na sseo yo

I coughed because it was cold outside.

Core concept

A quick burst of air from the throat or chest, along with the sound that burst makes.

Common phrases

  • 기침이 나다ki chi mi na da

    have a cough

Similar words

헛기침heotkkichim: A small throat-clearing cough that can gently draw attention during a conversation.
재채기chaechaegi: A sudden reflex that pushes air out through the nose and makes a sharp sound.

Definition in Korean

목이나 가슴의 자극으로 생기는 공기 배출과 그때 나타나는 소리를 뜻하는 말.mo gi na ka seu mui cha geu geu ro saeng gi neun kong gi pae chul gwa keu ttae na ta na neun so ri reul tteu ta neun mal

Word origin

The word's origin is uncertain, so it is best learned as the established Korean noun for a cough rather than through a guessed word breakdown.

Usage tips

  • In a clinic or at home, 기침 (gichim, "cough") is useful for reporting a symptom without explaining whether it happened once or many times.

Related words

Word lists with this word