عندي كحة من إمبارح

You use this when someone asks why you look tired. Or perhaps you just coughed mid-sentence and want to explain. It acts as a status update for your health. You can swap إمبارح for other time markers. For example, من يومين (from two days) works perfectly too. It is a very flexible sentence structure.

Use it at the pharmacy when asking for medicine. Use it when calling into work to explain your absence. It is perfect for small talk with neighbors who notice you're unwell. If you are texting a friend to cancel plans, this is the perfect excuse. It sounds honest and straightforward without being overly dramatic.

Don't use this if you are feeling perfectly fine. It is a specific medical complaint, not a general greeting. Avoid using it in a very formal speech or presentation. Unless, of course, you actually start coughing on stage! Also, don't use it for a sore throat; that's a different word entirely.

In many Arabic-speaking cultures, health is a common topic of conversation. People will often respond with ألف سلامة (a thousand healths/get well soon). It is a way to show empathy and connection. Sharing your symptoms is seen as being open, not complaining. It invites the other person to offer advice or herbal tea recipes. Expect a lot of suggestions for lemon and honey after saying this!

In Modern Standard Arabic, you would say عندي سعال منذ أمس. But in daily life, كحة is much more common. In the Gulf, you might hear كحة من أمس. The structure remains mostly the same across dialects. Only the specific word for 'yesterday' might change slightly. It is a universal way to express this specific physical annoyance.