toser
/toˈseɾ/
The Spanish phrase for "to cough" is toser.
toser is used to describe the act of expelling air from the lungs with a sudden sharp sound.
How does it change in a sentence?
The first-person singular present indicative is toso (I cough), and the past participle is tosido (coughed).
How do you pronounce it?
/toˈseɾ/
Did you know?
- The verb toser was inherited from the Latin word tussīre and may have changed its verb class due to the influence of the word coser ('to sew').
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, it is common to say salud ('health') to someone who coughs, not just to someone who sneezes.
- In some regions, a light, intentional cough used to get someone's attention is called carraspear rather than toser.
Examples in context
- Tom se puso a toser.Tom started to cough.This sentence shows how to use toser to describe someone starting to cough.Tatoeba #5225714 by marcelostockle, translation #2646859 by CK
- El niño tosió durante la reunión.The child coughed during the meeting.
- Mi amigo carraspeó antes de comenzar su discurso.My friend cleared his throat before starting his speech.
- No puedo dejar de toser.I cannot stop coughing.
- Él empezó a toser por el humo.He started to cough because of the smoke.
Example conversation
Elena is asking Daniel how he feels because he sounds sick.
- Elena¿Estás bien? Te oigo toser.Are you okay? I hear you coughing.
- DanielSí, pero tengo un poco de tos.Yes, but I have a bit of a cough.
- ElenaDeberías descansar para no toser tanto.You should rest so you don't cough so much.
- DanielGracias, Elena. Lo haré.Thanks, Elena. I will.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry toser, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries toser, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
