Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'Cough'

English Word: Cough

Key Russian Translations:

• кашель [ˈkaʂɨlʲ] - [Noun, Common Usage]
• кашлять [ˈkaʂlʲətʲ] - [Verb, Action of Coughing]

Frequency: High

Difficulty: A2 (Beginner to Intermediate for both translations)

Pronunciation (Russian):

кашель: [ˈkaʂɨlʲ]

Note on кашель: The stress falls on the first syllable. The 'ш' sound is a retroflex fricative, distinct from English 'sh'.

кашлять: [ˈkaʂlʲətʲ]

Note on кашлять: Stress on the first syllable. The final 'ть' indicates an infinitive verb form with a soft 't' sound.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

1. Cough as a Noun (Sound or Act of Coughing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кашель - Used to describe the sound or condition of coughing, often in medical or everyday contexts.

Usage Examples:

• У него сильный кашель уже неделю.

  He has had a strong cough for a week.

• Кашель может быть симптомом простуды.

  A cough can be a symptom of a cold.

• Её кашель разбудил всех в доме.

  Her cough woke everyone in the house.

2. Cough as a Verb (Action of Coughing)

Translation(s) & Context:

• кашлять - Used to describe the act of coughing, often in casual or descriptive contexts.

Usage Examples:

• Он начал кашлять после того, как вдохнул дым.

  He started coughing after inhaling smoke.

• Не кашляй на других, это невежливо.

  Don’t cough on others, it’s impolite.

• Она кашляла всю ночь и не могла уснуть.

  She was coughing all night and couldn’t sleep.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

кашель (Noun, Masculine, Inanimate):

Case	Singular
Nominative	кашель
Genitive	кашля
Dative	кашлю
Accusative	кашель
Instrumental	кашлем
Prepositional	о кашле

Note: The noun "кашель" does not have a plural form in standard usage as it refers to the concept or act of coughing.

кашлять (Verb, Imperfective):

Person	Present Tense
Я (I)	кашляю
Ты (You, singular)	кашляешь
Он/Она/Оно (He/She/It)	кашляет
Мы (We)	кашляем
Вы (You, plural)	кашляете
Они (They)	кашляют

Note: "кашлять" is an imperfective verb, indicating an ongoing or repetitive action. There is no perfective counterpart in common usage.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

Synonyms for кашель (Noun):

• покашливание (mild coughing)

Synonyms for кашлять (Verb):

• покашливать (to cough lightly or occasionally)

Antonyms: None in common usage for either form.

Note: "покашливание" and "покашливать" imply a softer or less intense cough compared to "кашель" and "кашлять".

Related Phrases:

• сухой кашель - Dry cough (describes a cough without phlegm).
• мокрый кашель - Wet cough (describes a cough with phlegm).
• кашлять кровью - To cough up blood (used in medical contexts).

Usage Notes:

• "кашель" is strictly a noun and refers to the sound, act, or condition of coughing. It is commonly used in medical contexts or to describe a symptom.
• "кашлять" is the verb form and is used to describe the action of coughing. It is often used in everyday speech to narrate or command.
• Be mindful of the context when choosing between the noun and verb forms, as they are not interchangeable.

Common Errors:

• Error: Using "кашель" as a verb (e.g., *Я кашель* instead of Я кашляю).

  Correction: Use "кашлять" for the verb form. "кашель" is only a noun. Correct: Я кашляю (I cough).

• Error: Misplacing stress in pronunciation (e.g., stressing the second syllable in "кашель").

  Correction: Stress is always on the first syllable: [ˈkaʂɨlʲ].

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, coughing in public without covering your mouth is considered impolite, much like in English-speaking countries. Additionally, persistent coughing may prompt others to offer folk remedies or express concern, as health is a common topic of conversation.

Related Concepts:

• простуда (cold)
• грипп (flu)
• болезнь (illness)