toux sèche
/tu sɛʃ/
The English phrase 'dry cough' is toux sèche in French.
toux sèche is used to describe a cough that does not produce any mucus or phlegm. You can add the adjective persistante before toux sèche to emphasize that the cough is persistent.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun toux (cough) and the adjective sèche (dry).
Which one should you use?
While toux sèche refers to a dry cough, the term toux grasse is used to describe a wet or productive cough that produces mucus.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because toux is a feminine noun, the adjective sèche must agree in gender with it.
How do you pronounce it?
/tu sɛʃ/
Did you know?
- While English speakers describe a productive cough as 'wet', French speakers call it toux grasse, which literally means 'fat cough'.
- The word toux traces its origins back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to push or hit', suggesting that a cough is etymologically viewed as a physical strike from within the body.
- The word toux sounds exactly like the masculine word tous, meaning 'all', despite their completely different meanings and genders.
Examples in context
- J'ai une toux sèche.I have a dry cough.This sentence is useful for expressing that you have a toux sèche.Tatoeba #10999 by sysko, translation #63522 by CK
- Je souffre d'une toux sèche depuis quelques jours maintenant.I've been having a dry cough for a few days now.
- J'ai attrapé une toux sèche après avoir été exposé à la fumée.I caught a dry cough after being exposed to smoke.
- Sa toux sèche l'empêche de dormir.His dry cough prevents him from sleeping.
- Une toux sèche peut être très irritante.A dry cough can be very irritating.
Example conversation
Manon is talking to Gabriel about his health.
- ManonTu as l'air malade, Gabriel.You look sick, Gabriel.
- GabrielOui, j'ai une toux sèche depuis hier.Yes, I have had a dry cough since yesterday.
- ManonEst-ce que tu as de la fièvre ?Do you have a fever?
- GabrielNon, c'est juste cette toux sèche.No, it is just this dry cough.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry toux sèche, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toux, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
