catarro
The Italian word for phlegm is catarro.
catarro is a noun used to describe the mucus secreted in the bronchial passages.
Meaning: mucus secreted in the bronchial passages (noun)
Did you know?
- While catarro refers to the fluid, the Italian word for the act of clearing one's throat is raschiare la gola, which literally means 'to scrape the throat'.
- The word catarro is a cognate of the English medical term 'catarrh', though the Italian version is used in everyday conversation while the English term is rare and formal.
- The Italian term is derived from the Ancient Greek word katárrhoos, which literally means 'flowing down'.
Examples in context
- Oggi mi sento molto pesante, ho tanto catarro.Today I feel really heavy, I have a lot of phlegm.
- Ho molto catarro a causa della tosse.I have a lot of phlegm because of the cough.
- Il catarro è difficile da espellere.The phlegm is difficult to expel.
- Sento del catarro nei polmoni.I feel some phlegm in my lungs.
Example conversation
Chiara is asking Lorenzo how he is feeling after a cold.
- ChiaraCome va la tua influenza, Lorenzo?How is your flu going, Lorenzo?
- LorenzoNon molto bene, ho ancora del catarro.Not very well, I still have some phlegm.
- ChiaraTi serve qualche sciroppo per il catarro?Do you need some syrup for the phlegm?
- LorenzoSì, grazie, ne ho davvero bisogno.Yes, thank you, I really need it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries catarro, CC BY-SA 4.0.
