sự ho
The English word "cough" is translated into Vietnamese as sự ho.
sự ho refers to the noun meaning a sudden, often involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the glottis and out through the mouth.
Meaning: sudden, often involuntary expulsion of air from the lungs through the glottis, and out through the mouth (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb form is simply ho, whereas the noun form sự ho is used for the abstract concept of a cough.
Did you know?
- The prefix sự used to turn the verb 'cough' into a noun was originally a suffix in Literary Chinese. When it entered Vietnamese, it shifted positions to the front of the word to fit the native patterns of the language.
- Traditional Vietnamese medicine often treats a ho by using a concoction of honey and steamed lemon, reflecting a deep cultural preference for these specific warming ingredients over synthetic syrups.
- Because Vietnamese is a tonal language, changing the pitch of the word ho can completely change the meaning, potentially turning a 'cough' into a word for 'hole' or 'vast'.
Examples in context
- Xin lỗi, tôi bị bệnh ho. Bạn có thể giới thiệu thuốc cho tôi không?Excuse me, I have a cough. Can you please recommend some medicine?
- Hôm nay bạn cảm thấy thế nào? Tôi nghe nói bạn ho một tuần trước.How are you feeling today? I heard you had a cough last week.
- Mẹ ơi, con bị ho và đau họng. Mẹ cho con một chút mật ong được không?Mom, I have a cough and a sore throat. Can you give me some honey?
- Tôi bị ho.I have a cough.
Example conversation
Hương and Nam are talking about health at home.
- HươngNam, sự ho của anh có giảm không?Nam, has your cough decreased?
- NamNó vẫn còn, nhưng đỡ hơn rồi.It's still there, but it's better now.
- HươngAnh nên uống thêm nước ấm nhé.You should drink more warm water.
- NamCảm ơn Hương, anh sẽ làm vậy.Thank you Huong, I will do that.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cough” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ho, sự, CC BY-SA 4.0.
