गला ख़राब है

Using this phrase is incredibly easy because it doesn't change much. You just state it as a fact. If you want to say 'My throat is bad,' you say Mera gala kharab hai. The word mera means 'my.' You can use it to decline an ice cream. You can use it to explain why you are whispering. It sounds natural in almost any sentence structure.

Use it when you wake up with a raspy voice. Use it at a party when someone asks you to sing. It is perfect for calling out of work. If a street food vendor asks if you want extra spice, this is a great excuse. It signals to people that you need a warm drink. You will hear this constantly during the changing seasons in India.

Don't use this if you have a stomach ache or a headache. It is strictly for the neck area! Also, avoid using it if you are actually choking. In that case, you need help, not a linguistic description. If your voice is perfectly fine, don't use it as a metaphor for being sad. We have other dramatic phrases for that. Keep it literal and physical.

In India, a 'bad throat' is often blamed on 'weather change.' People will immediately offer you home remedies. Expect suggestions like ginger tea or turmeric milk. There is a huge cultural obsession with avoiding cold water when your gala is kharab. It is a phrase that triggers instant sympathy and motherly advice. It is a very 'social' ailment in South Asia.

If you want to sound more urgent, say Gala bahut kharab hai. That means it is 'very' bad. To ask someone else, say Kya aapka gala kharab hai?. You might also hear Gale mein kharash hai. This specifically means 'I have an itch/scratch in my throat.' But gala kharab is the king of all-purpose phrases. It covers the itch, the pain, and the lost voice all at once.