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खाँसी आना

A2 verb 9 min read

खाँसी आना

khaansi aana

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips खाँसी आना in 30 Seconds

Explanation खाँसी आना in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know how to say 'I have a cough' or 'He is coughing' in the simplest way. This involves using the indirect subject construction which is very common in Hindi for physical states. You should learn that 'खाँसी' (khāmsī) means 'cough' and 'आना' (ānā) means 'to come'. So, the basic sentence is 'मुझे खाँसी है' (I have a cough) or 'मुझे खाँसी आ रही है' (I am coughing). At this stage, don't worry too much about complex grammar; just remember that you need to use 'ko' (to/for) after the person's name or pronoun. For example, 'Ram ko khāmsī hai' (Ram has a cough). You might use this when you are feeling unwell and want to tell your teacher or a friend. It's also helpful to know 'paani' (water) because you usually need water when you cough! This is one of the first health-related phrases you will learn because it is so common in daily life. Just focus on the feminine agreement: the verb will usually end in 'ī' (like 'ā rahī' or 'āī') because 'khāmsī' is a feminine word. This is a great way to practice the difference between masculine and feminine nouns in Hindi while learning something practical. You can also learn simple adjectives like 'bahut' (much/a lot) to say 'mujhe bahut khāmsī hai' (I have a lot of cough). This simple structure will serve you well in basic conversations about health.

At the A2 level, you should be able to describe your cough in more detail and use different tenses. You will learn to say when the cough started, how long it has been lasting, and what might have caused it. For example, 'मुझे कल रात से खाँसी आ रही है' (I have been coughing since last night). You should also be able to use the past tense: 'कल उसे बहुत खाँसी आई' (Yesterday he coughed a lot). At this level, you can start using adverbs like 'achānak' (suddenly) or 'bār-bār' (repeatedly). You will also begin to understand the difference between 'khāmsī ānā' (the sensation of coughing) and 'khāmsī honā' (having a cough/illness). You should be comfortable using this phrase in a pharmacy or a doctor's clinic to explain your symptoms. For instance, 'मुझे सूखी खाँसी आ रही है' (I am having a dry cough). This adds an adjective 'sūkhī' (dry) to the noun 'khāmsī'. You are also expected to understand questions from others, such as 'kyā bache ko khāmsī hai?' (Does the child have a cough?). Learning the A2 level usage involves moving beyond just the 'I' and 'you' and describing situations involving other people and specific times. It's also a good time to learn related words like 'bukhaar' (fever) and 'dard' (pain) to build a small 'health toolkit' of phrases. You should also notice that 'khāmsī ānā' is more common than the direct verb 'khāmsnā' in spoken Hindi, and you should try to use the 'ānā' version to sound more like a native speaker.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'खाँसी आना' in more complex sentence structures, including conditional sentences and compound sentences. You might explain the cause and effect: 'अगर मैं ठंडी हवा में बाहर जाऊँगा, तो मुझे खाँसी आएगी' (If I go out in the cold air, I will cough). You can also use it with modal verbs or to express habits: 'उसे धूल से हमेशा खाँसी आने लगती है' (He always starts coughing from dust). At this level, your vocabulary should expand to include terms like 'infection', 'pollution', and 'medicine names'. You should be able to describe the nature of the cough more precisely—whether it's 'balgam vālī' (with phlegm) or 'gale mein kharāsh' (sore throat). You will also encounter the phrase in more formal contexts, such as health awareness posters or simple news reports about seasonal flu. You should be able to participate in a conversation about home remedies, for example, 'जब मुझे खाँसी आती है, तो मैं अदरक और शहद लेता हूँ' (When I cough, I take ginger and honey). This shows your ability to connect the physical symptom with a cultural response. You should also be aware of the onomatopoeic word 'khon-khon' and how it's used in stories. Your grammar should be more precise, ensuring that the verb 'ānā' always agrees with the feminine noun 'khāmsī', even in complex past or future constructions. You can also start using 'shuru honā' (to start) with it: 'उसे खाँसी आना शुरू हो गई है' (He has started coughing).

At the B2 level, you can use 'खाँसी आना' to discuss broader health issues and environmental topics. You might talk about how air pollution in major cities leads to chronic coughing among the elderly and children. You should be able to use the phrase in the passive voice or in more abstract discussions: 'प्रदूषण के कारण लोगों को खाँसी आने की समस्या बढ़ रही है' (The problem of people coughing is increasing due to pollution). You will be able to distinguish between different medical conditions that cause coughing, such as 'asthma' (damā) or 'bronchitis'. Your ability to use the phrase in a professional or academic setting (like a health seminar) will improve. You might use more formal synonyms like 'khāmsnā' in written reports but maintain 'khāmsī ānā' in spoken interactions. You should also be able to understand and use idiomatic expressions or cultural references related to coughing. For example, in a debate, you might describe a 'coughing fit' during a speech to describe an interruption. You should be able to handle complex tenses like the presumptive ('use khāmsī ā rahī hogī' - he must be coughing) or the subjunctive ('agar use khāmsī āe, to davā de denā' - if he coughs, give him medicine). Your understanding of the word will now include its social implications—how a cough can be a sign of a deeper health crisis or just a seasonal nuisance. You can also discuss the side effects of medications using this term.

At the C1 level, you possess a nuanced understanding of 'खाँसी आना' and can use it in literary, technical, or highly idiomatic contexts. You can describe the 'texture' of a cough using advanced adjectives and metaphors. You might read a Hindi novel where a character's 'khāmsī' is used to symbolize their frailty or an impending tragedy. You should be able to discuss the physiological mechanism of a cough in Hindi, using words like 'shvasan tantra' (respiratory system) and 'phephṛe' (lungs). In a medical context, you can discuss 'chronic' vs 'acute' coughs using terms like 'purānī khāmsī' or 'tīvra khāmsī'. You can also use the phrase to describe subtle social cues—like a 'fake cough' to get someone's attention (though 'khankhārnā' is more specific for clearing the throat, 'khāmsī' can be used broadly). You should be able to translate complex medical documents or literature that involves descriptions of illness without losing the nuance of the 'ānā' construction. You will also understand the historical context of certain diseases like 'kālī khāmsī' (whooping cough) and how they have been discussed in Indian society. Your speech will be indistinguishable from a native speaker's in terms of verb agreement and idiomatic usage. You can also analyze the use of coughing as a dramatic device in Hindi cinema or theater, discussing how 'khāmsī' is used to evoke empathy or tension.

At the C2 level, you have complete mastery over 'खाँसी आना' and its place in the vast Hindi lexicon. You can explore the etymology of the word 'खाँसी' from its Sanskrit roots (Kāsa) and discuss how the 'ānā' construction reflects the broader Indo-Aryan linguistic worldview of involuntary experiences. You can engage in high-level medical research discussions in Hindi, evaluating the efficacy of different treatments for 'khāmsī' across various demographics. You can appreciate and use the term in high literature, poetry, or classical drama, where a cough might be described with profound metaphorical depth. Your understanding includes all regional variations or dialects of Hindi and how 'cough' might be expressed differently (e.g., in Bhojpuri or Punjabi-influenced Hindi). You can provide expert-level translation and interpretation, capturing the exact emotional and clinical weight of the phrase. You are also aware of the most obscure medical terms related to coughing and can explain them using 'khāmsī आना' as a baseline for laypeople. At this level, the word is not just a vocabulary item but a tool for precise, sophisticated communication across all possible domains—from the most casual conversation to the most rigorous scientific discourse. You can also critique the way health and illness are represented in Hindi media, using 'khāmsī' as a case study for linguistic and cultural representation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

खाँसी आना in 30 Seconds

खाँसी आना (khāmsī ānā) is the standard Hindi phrase for 'to cough'.
It uses an indirect subject: [Person] + [ko] + खाँसी + [ānā].
The noun 'खाँसी' is feminine, so the verb 'आना' must agree with it.
Commonly heard in medical contexts or when discussing seasonal illnesses.

The Hindi expression खाँसी आना (khāmsī ānā) is a fundamental medical and physiological term used to describe the involuntary act of coughing. In the Hindi language, physical sensations, ailments, and physiological reactions are often expressed using an 'indirect subject' construction. Unlike English, where one 'coughs' (an active verb), in Hindi, the cough 'comes to' the person. This reflects a cultural and linguistic perspective where the body experiences an event rather than the person performing an action intentionally. This term is indispensable in daily life, especially during the winter months in North India or in polluted urban environments like Delhi, where respiratory issues are common topics of conversation. Understanding this phrase requires grasping the concept of the noun 'खाँसी' (cough) paired with the auxiliary verb 'आना' (to come).

Linguistic Structure: The phrase consists of the feminine noun 'खाँसी' (cough) and the verb 'आना' (to come). Because 'खाँसी' is feminine, the verb 'आना' must be conjugated to match this gender when used in various tenses, such as 'आ रही है' or 'आई थी'.

ठंडी हवा के कारण उसे अचानक खाँसी आने लगी। (Due to the cold air, he suddenly started coughing.)

Physiological Context: It refers to the sudden expulsion of air from the lungs, often to clear the throat or airways of irritants. It is used for everything from a minor tickle to chronic bronchitis.

When people use this word, they are often seeking empathy or explaining a physical limitation. In a social setting, if someone starts coughing, they might excuse themselves by saying, 'माफ़ कीजिये, मुझे खाँसी आ रही है' (Excuse me, I am coughing). It is also the primary term used in medical consultations. A doctor will typically ask, 'क्या आपको रात में खाँसी आती है?' (Do you cough at night?). The term is versatile, covering various types of coughs—dry, productive, or spasmodic. It is also used metaphorically in some contexts, though rarely, to describe a stuttering or interrupted flow of speech or machinery, though its primary use remains strictly biological.

धुएँ में खड़े होने से सबको खाँसी आ रही थी। (Everyone was coughing from standing in the smoke.)

Social Etiquette: In Indian culture, coughing without covering one's mouth is considered impolite. Using the phrase 'खाँसी आना' is often followed by a request for water or a cough drop (lozenge).

बच्चे को रात भर खाँसी आती रही। (The child kept coughing all night long.)

Mastering the use of खाँसी आना requires an understanding of Hindi's quirky way of handling involuntary actions. The most important rule is the 'Indirect Subject Construction'. The person who is coughing is not the grammatical subject; the 'cough' (खाँसी) is the subject. Therefore, the person is followed by the postposition 'को' (ko). This is similar to how we say 'to me' in English. For example, 'I am coughing' becomes 'To me, cough is coming' (मुझे खाँसी आ रही है). If you omit the 'को', the sentence will be grammatically incorrect and confusing to native speakers.

Present Continuous: Used for an action happening right now. 'उसे खाँसी आ रही है' (He/She is coughing). Note that 'आ रही है' is feminine because 'खाँसी' is feminine.

क्या आपको अभी भी खाँसी आ रही है? (Are you still coughing?)

Simple Past: Used to describe a past instance. 'मुझे कल बहुत खाँसी आई' (I coughed a lot yesterday). Here, 'आई' is the feminine past tense form of 'आना'.

The phrase can also be modified with adjectives to describe the type of cough. 'सूखी खाँसी' (sūkhī khāmsī) means a dry cough, while 'बलगम वाली खाँसी' (balgam vālī khāmsī) means a productive or wet cough. You can also use adverbs to describe the frequency. 'बार-बार खाँसी आना' (to cough repeatedly) or 'अचानक खाँसी आना' (to cough suddenly) are very common. When talking to a doctor, you might say, 'जब मैं सोता हूँ, तब मुझे खाँसी आती है' (When I sleep, I cough). This structure allows for precise medical descriptions.

मिर्च के धुएँ से सबको खाँसी आने लगी। (Everyone started coughing from the chili smoke.)

Future Tense: Used for predictions or warnings. 'अगर तुम ठंडी आइसक्रीम खाओगे, तो तुम्हें खाँसी आएगी' (If you eat cold ice cream, you will get a cough/will cough).

दवा लेने के बाद उसे खाँसी आना बंद हो गई। (After taking the medicine, his coughing stopped.)

In India, health is a very public and communal topic. You will hear खाँसी आना in a variety of everyday settings. One of the most common places is the local pharmacy (chemist shop). Customers often describe their symptoms to the pharmacist without a formal prescription: 'भाई साहब, मुझे दो दिनों से बहुत खाँसी आ रही है, कोई सिरप दे दीजिये' (Brother, I have been coughing a lot for two days, please give me some syrup). The pharmacist might ask if it is a 'sūkhī khāmsī' (dry cough) to determine which medicine to provide. This dialogue is a staple of Indian street life.

The Doctor's Clinic: Doctors use this phrase to diagnose. You'll hear questions like 'खाँसी के साथ बुखार भी है?' (Is there a fever along with the cough?). It is a central term in medical history taking.

डॉक्टर ने पूछा कि क्या मरीज़ को रात में ज़्यादा खाँसी आती है। (The doctor asked if the patient coughs more at night.)

Public Transport and Pollution: In cities like Delhi or Mumbai, when the Air Quality Index (AQI) drops, conversations inevitably turn to respiratory health. People on buses or metros will complain about the 'dhūm' (smog) causing 'खाँसी'.

You will also hear it in schools and offices. If a student is coughing during an exam, the teacher might ask, 'बेटा, क्या तुम्हें खाँसी आ रही है? पानी पियोगे?' (Child, are you coughing? Will you drink water?). In the workplace, it’s a common reason for taking sick leave. 'मुझे बहुत खाँसी आ रही है, इसलिए मैं आज ऑफिस नहीं आ पाऊँगा' (I am coughing a lot, so I won't be able to come to the office today). It is also frequently used in advertisements for cough syrups or lozenges like Vicks or Dabur Honitus, which are ubiquitous on Indian television.

प्रदूषण की वजह से बूढ़ों को खाँसी आने की शिकायत बढ़ गई है। (Complaints of coughing among the elderly have increased due to pollution.)

Family Life: Mothers are particularly sensitive to this. If a child coughs even once, a mother might say 'अरे, तुम्हें तो खाँसी आ रही है, बाहर मत जाओ' (Oh, you are coughing, don't go outside).

सिनेमा हॉल में किसी को खाँसी आई और सब उसकी तरफ देखने लगे। (Someone coughed in the cinema hall and everyone started looking at them.)

For English speakers, the most frequent mistake when using खाँसी आना is the literal translation of the English sentence structure. In English, 'I' is the subject of 'cough'. In Hindi, if you say 'मैं खाँसी आ रहा हूँ' (Main khāmsī ā rahā hūn), you are literally saying 'I am coming cough,' which makes no sense. You must use the dative 'को' (ko) with the person. Another common error involves the gender of the noun. 'खाँसी' is feminine, so the verb must always be 'आ रही है' or 'आई', never 'आ रहा है' or 'आया'.

Mistake 1: Subject-Verb Agreement: Saying 'मुझे खाँसी आ रहा है' (masculine verb). Correct: 'मुझे खाँसी आ रही है' (feminine verb).

Incorrect: राम को खाँसी आया।
Correct: राम को खाँसी आई।

Mistake 2: Forgetting 'Ko': Saying 'मैं खाँसी हूँ' (I am cough) instead of 'मुझे खाँसी है' or 'मुझे खाँसी आ रही है'. The 'ko' is essential to indicate who is experiencing the cough.

Confusion also arises between 'खाँसी' (the noun) and 'खाँसना' (the verb). While 'खाँसना' (khāmsnā) exists, it is used much less frequently in conversation. Using it can sometimes sound overly formal or slightly unnatural in a casual medical context. For example, 'वह खाँस रहा है' is correct but 'उसे खाँसी आ रही है' is more idiomatic. Additionally, learners often confuse 'खाँसी' (cough) with 'खुजली' (itch) or 'खराश' (soreness/scratchiness), leading to incorrect symptom descriptions.

Incorrect: मुझे खाँसी करना है। (I want to do cough.)
Correct: मुझे खाँसी आ रही है। (I am coughing.)

Mistake 3: Overusing 'Karnā': Learners often try to say 'coughing' as 'khāmsī karnā' (doing cough). This is incorrect. You don't 'do' a cough; it 'comes' (ānā).

Incorrect: वह बहुत खाँसी है। (He is very cough.)
Correct: उसे बहुत खाँसी आ रही है। (He is coughing a lot.)

In the realm of respiratory and throat issues, several words are closely related to खाँसी आना. Understanding these nuances helps in providing a more accurate description of symptoms. The most common related term is 'जुकाम' (jukām), which refers to a common cold. Often, these two go hand-in-hand as 'खाँसी-जुकाम' (cough and cold). If you only have a runny nose without a cough, you would just say 'मुझे जुकाम है'.

खाँसी आना vs. छींक आना: While 'खाँसी आना' is to cough, 'छींक आना' (chhīnk ānā) is to sneeze. Both use the 'ānā' construction. You might say, 'धूल से मुझे छींक आती है और खाँसी भी' (Dust makes me sneeze and cough too).

मुझे खाँसी नहीं है, बस छींकें आ रही हैं। (I don't have a cough, just sneezing.)

खाँसी आना vs. खराश होना: 'खराश' (kharāsh) means a scratchy or sore throat. You might have 'खराश' before the 'खाँसी' actually starts. 'मेरे गले में खराश है' (My throat is scratchy).

Another alternative is the direct verb 'खाँसना' (khāmsnā). As mentioned, it's more formal. You might see it in literature: 'बूढ़ा आदमी जोर-जोर से खाँसने लगा' (The old man began to cough loudly). In medical terminology, you might encounter 'श्वसन' (shvasan - respiration) or 'फेफड़े' (phephṛe - lungs), but for the act of coughing itself, 'खाँसी आना' remains the king of colloquial Hindi. There is also 'कुक्कुर खाँसी' (kukkur khāmsī), which literally translates to 'dog cough' and is the common term for Whooping Cough (Pertussis).

सर्दियों में खाँसी-जुकाम होना आम बात है। (It's common to have a cough and cold in winters.)

Comparison Table

खाँसी आना (Khāmsī ānā): To cough (The standard phrase).
खाँसना (Khāmsnā): To cough (Active verb, more formal).
खराश (Kharāsh): Irritation in the throat.
दमा (Damā): Asthma (Often associated with chronic coughing).

ज़्यादा सिगरेट पीने से खाँसी की बीमारी हो सकती है। (Smoking too many cigarettes can lead to a coughing illness.)

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In many Indian languages like Marathi (Khokla) and Bengali (Kashi), the word for cough sounds very similar because they all share the same Sanskrit ancestor.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kʰãː.siː ɑː.nɑː/

US /kʰɑːn.siː ɑː.nɑː/

Stress is evenly distributed, with a slight emphasis on the first syllable 'khām'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to read as the characters are common.

Writing 3/5

Nasalization (bindu) and the 'kh' sound require practice.

Speaking 4/5

The indirect subject construction is difficult for beginners to master.

Listening 2/5

The sound 'khon-khon' or 'khāmsī' is very distinct.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

आना (To come) को (To/For) मुझे (To me) बीमार (Ill) गला (Throat)

Learn Next

बुखार आना (To have a fever) छींक आना (To sneeze) दर्द होना (To have pain) दवा लेना (To take medicine) आराम करना (To rest)

Advanced

संक्रमण (Infection) फेफड़े (Lungs) श्वसन तंत्र (Respiratory system) दमा (Asthma) नुस्खा (Home remedy)

Grammar to Know

Indirect Subject (Dative Subject)

Experiencer + को + Noun + Verb (e.g., मुझे खाँसी है).

Feminine Noun Agreement

खाँसी is feminine, so 'आ रही है' (not 'आ रहा है').

Intransitive Verb in Past Tense

No 'ne' used with 'ānā'. (मुझे खाँसी आई).

Compound Verbs with 'Lagnā'

खाँसी आने लगी (Started coughing).

Adjective Placement

Adjectives like 'सूखी' come before 'खाँसी'.

Examples by Level

मुझे खाँसी है।

I have a cough.

Simple present tense using 'hai'.

क्या आपको खाँसी आ रही है?

Are you coughing?

Present continuous with 'ko' postposition.

बच्चे को खाँसी है।

The child has a cough.

Indirect subject with 'ko'.

राम को खाँसी आई।

Ram coughed.

Simple past tense (feminine verb 'āī').

मुझे बहुत खाँसी है।

I have a lot of cough.

'Bahut' is used as an intensifier.

उसे खाँसी नहीं है।

He/She doesn't have a cough.

Negative sentence with 'nahīn'.

ठंडा पानी पीने से खाँसी आती है।

Coughing comes from drinking cold water.

Habitual present tense.

माँ, मुझे खाँसी आ रही है।

Mom, I am coughing.

Casual address with present continuous.

मुझे कल रात से खाँसी आ रही है।

I have been coughing since last night.

Present continuous indicating a duration.

क्या दवा लेने से खाँसी कम हुई?

Did the cough decrease after taking medicine?

Past tense 'huī' agreeing with 'khāmsī'.

उसे अचानक बहुत तेज़ खाँसी आने लगी।

He suddenly started coughing very hard.

'āne lagī' indicates the start of an action.

धुएँ की वजह से सबको खाँसी आ रही थी।

Everyone was coughing because of the smoke.

Past continuous tense.

डॉक्टर ने पूछा, 'क्या आपको सूखी खाँसी है?'

The doctor asked, 'Do you have a dry cough?'

Use of adjective 'sūkhī'.

मुझे खाँसी के साथ बुखार भी है।

I have a fever along with a cough.

Using 'ke sāth' to connect symptoms.

ज़्यादा मत बोलो, वरना खाँसी आएगी।

Don't talk too much, otherwise you will cough.

Future tense 'āegī'.

उसे धूल से खाँसी आती है।

He gets a cough from dust.

Habitual present tense.

अगर उसे खाँसी आए, तो उसे यह सिरप दे देना।

If he coughs, give him this syrup.

Subjunctive mood in a conditional sentence.

जब भी मैं ठंडी चीज़ें खाता हूँ, मुझे खाँसी आने लगती है।

Whenever I eat cold things, I start coughing.

Correlative sentence (jab... tab...).

मेरी खाँसी दो हफ़्तों से ठीक नहीं हो रही है।

My cough hasn't been getting better for two weeks.

Negative present continuous with 'thīk honā'.

प्रदूषण बढ़ने पर बच्चों को खाँसी की समस्या हो जाती है।

When pollution increases, children get coughing problems.

Using 'samasyā' (problem) with 'khāmsī'.

क्या आपको बलगम वाली खाँसी आ रही है?

Are you having a productive cough (with phlegm)?

Specific medical adjective 'balgam vālī'.

उसे इतनी खाँसी आई कि वह बोल भी नहीं पाया।

He coughed so much that he couldn't even speak.

Result clause with 'itnī... ki...'.

बिना हाथ रखे खाँसना अच्छी आदत नहीं है।

Coughing without covering your hand is not a good habit.

Using the gerund form 'khāmsnā'.

रात भर खाँसी आने के कारण मैं सो नहीं सका।

I couldn't sleep because of coughing all night.

Reasoning with 'ke kāran'.

लगातार खाँसी आना किसी गंभीर बीमारी का संकेत हो सकता है।

Continuous coughing can be a sign of a serious illness.

Using 'sanket' (sign/signal).

शहर में बढ़ते धुएँ ने लोगों को खाँसी का मरीज़ बना दिया है।

The increasing smoke in the city has made people cough patients.

Causal sentence structure.

दवा के साइड इफेक्ट के रूप में भी खाँसी आ सकती है।

Coughing can also occur as a side effect of the medicine.

Expressing possibility with 'saktī hai'.

उसे पुरानी खाँसी है जो सर्दियों में और बढ़ जाती है।

He has a chronic cough that worsens in winter.

Relative clause 'jo...'

भाप लेने से खाँसी में काफी आराम मिलता है।

Inhaling steam provides a lot of relief from coughing.

Using 'ārām milnā' (to get relief).

अगर खाँसी तीन दिन से ज़्यादा रहे, तो डॉक्टर से मिलें।

If the cough lasts more than three days, see a doctor.

Conditional advice.

उसकी खाँसी की आवाज़ सुनकर ही पता चल गया कि वह बीमार है।

Just hearing the sound of his cough, it was clear he was ill.

Participial construction 'sunkar'.

धूम्रपान करने वालों को अक्सर सुबह खाँसी आती है।

Smokers often cough in the morning.

Habitual present with a specific subject group.

मरीज़ को दौरे जैसी खाँसी आ रही थी, जिससे उसका दम घुट रहा था।

The patient was having a fit-like cough, which was making him choke.

Descriptive past continuous with 'jis-se'.

प्रदूषण के स्तर में गिरावट के बावजूद, खाँसी की समस्या कम नहीं हुई।

Despite the drop in pollution levels, the coughing problem did not decrease.

Using 'ke bāvjūd' (despite).

उसकी सूखी खाँसी उसके फेफड़ों में संक्रमण का संकेत दे रही थी।

His dry cough was signaling an infection in his lungs.

Metaphorical use of 'sanket denā'.

जैसे ही उसने बोलना शुरू किया, उसे खाँसी का दौरा पड़ गया।

As soon as he started speaking, he had a coughing fit.

Using 'ka daurā paṛnā' for a fit.

गले की खराश और खाँसी के लिए अदरक का रस रामबाण इलाज है।

Ginger juice is a panacea (perfect cure) for sore throat and cough.

Using the idiom 'rāmbāṇ ilāj'.

वह अपनी खाँसी को छिपाने की कोशिश कर रहा था ताकि कोई उसे बीमार न समझे।

He was trying to hide his cough so that no one would think he was ill.

Purpose clause with 'tāki'.

टीबी के मरीज़ों में खाँसी के साथ खून आने की संभावना रहती है।

In TB patients, there is a possibility of blood coming with a cough.

Technical medical description.

उसकी खाँसी की खों-खों पूरी रात सन्नाटे को चीरती रही।

The 'khon-khon' of his cough kept piercing the silence all night.

Literary/descriptive style.

खाँसी का बार-बार आना श्वसन तंत्र की किसी गहरी विकृति की ओर इशारा करता है।

Frequent coughing points towards some deep abnormality of the respiratory system.

High-level medical terminology ('vikṛti', 'ishārā').

साहित्य में खाँसी को अक्सर दरिद्रता और जर्जर स्वास्थ्य के प्रतीक के रूप में दर्शाया गया है।

In literature, coughing is often depicted as a symbol of poverty and shattered health.

Abstract academic discussion.

औद्योगिक क्षेत्रों में रहने वाले लोगों में खाँसी एक सामान्य व्याधि बन चुकी है।

Coughing has become a common malady among people living in industrial areas.

Formal vocabulary ('vyādhi' for malady).

यदि खाँसी के साथ श्वास लेने में अवरोध उत्पन्न हो, तो तत्काल चिकित्सा सहायता लें।

If obstruction in breathing arises along with a cough, seek immediate medical help.

Highly formal/technical Sanskritized Hindi.

उसकी खाँसी मात्र एक शारीरिक लक्षण नहीं, बल्कि उसके मानसिक तनाव का भी प्रतिबिंब थी।

His cough was not merely a physical symptom, but also a reflection of his mental stress.

Psychological/Philosophical analysis.

आयुर्वेद के अनुसार, खाँसी वात और कफ दोषों के असंतुलन का परिणाम है।

According to Ayurveda, a cough is the result of an imbalance of Vata and Kapha doshas.

Traditional scientific context.

लंबे समय तक बनी रहने वाली खाँसी को नज़रअंदाज़ करना घातक सिद्ध हो सकता है।

Ignoring a long-lasting cough can prove to be fatal.

Formal warning structure.

उसकी खाँसी की तीव्रता ने सभा में उपस्थित सभी लोगों का ध्यान अपनी ओर खींच लिया।

The intensity of his cough drew the attention of everyone present in the assembly.

Complex sentence with abstract noun 'tīvratā'.

Common Collocations

सूखी खाँसी

बलगम वाली खाँसी

पुरानी खाँसी

खाँसी का सिरप

खाँसी का दौरा

तेज़ खाँसी

खाँसी-जुकाम

लगातार खाँसी

खाँसी की दवा

खाँसी रोकना

Common Phrases

खाँसी-जुकाम होना

— To have a common cold and cough. Used very frequently in winters.

मुझे कल से खाँसी-जुकाम है।

खाँसी का सिरप पीना

— To drink cough syrup. Standard way to describe taking medicine.

सोने से पहले खाँसी का सिरप पी लेना।

खाँसी के मारे बुरा हाल

— To be in a very bad state due to coughing. Used for emphasis.

उसका खाँसी के मारे बुरा हाल है।

खाँसी आना शुरू होना

— To start coughing. Describes the onset of the symptom.

धूल में जाते ही उसे खाँसी आना शुरू हो गई।

खाँसी में आराम

— Relief from cough. Used when discussing recovery.

अब मेरी खाँसी में थोड़ा आराम है।

खाँसी का बढ़ना

— Cough getting worse. Used in medical updates.

रात होते ही उसकी खाँसी बढ़ जाती है।

खाँसी का इलाज

— Treatment for cough. Used in queries.

पुरानी खाँसी का क्या इलाज है?

खाँसी की वजह

— Reason for cough. Used during diagnosis.

डॉक्टर खाँसी की वजह ढूँढ रहे हैं।

खाँसी को दबाना

— To suppress a cough. Used in social settings.

उसने अपनी खाँसी को दबाने की कोशिश की।

खाँसी से गला दर्द

— Throat pain from coughing. Describes secondary symptoms.

ज़्यादा खाँसी से मेरा गला दर्द कर रहा है।

Often Confused With

खाँसी आना vs छींक आना

This means 'to sneeze'. Both use the 'ānā' construction, so learners often swap them.

खाँसी आना vs खराश होना

This means 'to have a sore/scratchy throat'. You have 'kharāsh' in the throat, but 'khāmsī' comes.

खाँसी आना vs खुजली होना

This means 'to itch'. Some learners confuse the starting 'kh' sound.

Idioms & Expressions

"खाँसी-खुर्रा"

— A minor illness or a lingering small cough. Used casually.

ये तो बस छोटा-मोटा खाँसी-खुर्रा है, ठीक हो जाएगा।

Colloquial

"गला साफ़ करना"

— To clear the throat (often with a small cough) before speaking.

उसने गला साफ़ किया और भाषण शुरू किया।

Neutral

"खाँसी का बहाना"

— Using a cough as an excuse to avoid something or hide an emotion.

उसने अपनी हँसी छिपाने के लिए खाँसी का बहाना बनाया।

Informal

"खों-खों करना"

— To keep coughing repeatedly and annoyingly.

वह क्लास में बस खों-खों करता रहता है।

Informal

"खाँसी की मार"

— The suffering caused by a severe cough.

गरीब आदमी खाँसी की मार झेल रहा है।

Literary

"खाँसी में जान निकलना"

— To cough so hard it feels like one might die. Hyperbolic.

इतनी खाँसी आई कि मेरी तो जान निकल गई।

Informal

"खाँसी को गले लगाना"

— Metaphorically accepting a chronic illness (rare).

उसने अपनी खाँसी को ही अपनी नियति मान लिया।

Literary

"मुँह ढँक कर खाँसना"

— To cough with a covered mouth (socially expected).

हमेशा मुँह ढँक कर खाँसना चाहिए।

Neutral

"खाँसी का टीका"

— Cough vaccine (usually referring to DPT).

क्या बच्चे को खाँसी का टीका लगा है?

Medical

"खाँसी का घर"

— A place or situation that causes constant coughing.

यह फैक्ट्री तो खाँसी का घर है।

Informal

Easily Confused

खाँसी आना vs खाँसना

It's the direct verb form of 'to cough'.

In English, we have one word 'cough'. In Hindi, 'khāmsī ānā' is the standard spoken phrase, while 'khāmsnā' is more formal or literary.

वह खाँस रहा है (Formal) vs उसे खाँसी आ रही है (Natural).

खाँसी आना vs जुकाम

Often occurs with a cough.

Jukām is specifically a cold (runny/blocked nose), while khāmsī is the cough itself. They are different symptoms.

मुझे जुकाम है पर खाँसी नहीं।

Sentence Patterns

[Person] को खाँसी है।

मुझे खाँसी है।

[Person] को [Time] से खाँसी आ रही है।

उसे कल से खाँसी आ रही है।

अगर [Condition], तो [Person] को खाँसी आएगी।

अगर तुम ठंडा पानी पियोगे, तो तुम्हें खाँसी आएगी।

[Cause] की वजह से खाँसी आना आम बात है।

धुएँ की वजह से खाँसी आना आम बात है।

[Person] को खाँसी का दौरा पड़ गया।

मरीज़ को अचानक खाँसी का दौरा पड़ गया।

खाँसी का बार-बार आना [Serious Issue] का संकेत है।

खाँसी का बार-बार आना फेफड़ों की बीमारी का संकेत है।

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely common, especially in health-related daily conversations.

Common Mistakes

मैं खाँसी हूँ। → मुझे खाँसी है।
You cannot say 'I am cough'. You must say 'To me there is cough'.
मुझे खाँसी आ रहा है। → मुझे खाँसी आ रही है।
'Khāmsī' is feminine, so the verb must be 'ā rahī hai'.

Tips

The 'Ko' Rule

Always use 'ko' with the person who is coughing. It's the most important part of the sentence.

Nasal sound

Don't ignore the 'm' sound in 'khāmsī'. It is a soft nasal sound produced in the back of the throat.

Home Remedies

If you tell an Indian friend you have 'khāmsī', expect advice about ginger and honey!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of the 'Kh' sound as the sound you make when you start to cough: 'KH-KH-Khāmsī'. Pair it with 'ānā' (to come) by imagining the cough is a guest that 'comes' uninvited to your throat.

Visual Association

Imagine a person standing in a dusty room. The dust 'comes' to them, and then the 'cough' (khāmsī) 'comes' (ānā) to their throat. Visualize the word 'खाँसी' floating towards someone's mouth.

Word Web

बुखार (Fever) जुकाम (Cold) दवा (Medicine) डॉक्टर (Doctor) गला (Throat) फेफड़े (Lungs) बलगम (Phlegm) छींक (Sneeze)

Challenge

Try to describe your health for 1 minute in Hindi using 'खाँसी आना' at least three times in different tenses (past, present, future).

Word Origin

Derived from the Sanskrit word 'Kāsa' (कास), which means cough. Over centuries of linguistic evolution in the Indo-Aryan family, 'Kāsa' transformed into the Prakrit 'khāsi' and eventually the modern Hindi 'khāmsī'.

Original meaning: The root 'Kās' in Sanskrit specifically refers to the act of coughing or respiratory distress.

Indo-Aryan

Cultural Context

Be sensitive when discussing chronic cough in India, as it can still carry a stigma related to TB in some rural or conservative areas.

In English, we say 'I cough' (active). In Hindi, we say 'Cough comes to me' (experiential). This is a major hurdle for learners.

Dabur Honitus ads: Famous for the 'Khon-khon' sound and the word 'khāmsī'. Vicks Ki Goli: 'Vicks ki goli lo, khich-khich door karo' (Take a Vicks lozenge, remove the scratchiness/cough). Bollywood scenes: A character coughing into a white handkerchief and seeing blood is a classic trope for terminal illness.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Doctor's

मुझे दो दिन से खाँसी है।
क्या यह सूखी खाँसी है?
खाँसी रात में बढ़ जाती है।
कोई खाँसी की दवा दे दीजिये।

In Winter

ठंड से सबको खाँसी हो गई है।
खाँसी-जुकाम का मौसम है।
गर्म पानी पियो, खाँसी कम होगी।
उसे बहुत तेज़ खाँसी आ रही है।

Pollution Talk

धुएँ से मुझे खाँसी आती है।
बाहर बहुत प्रदूषण है, खाँसी हो जाएगी।
मास्क पहनो, वरना खाँसी आएगी।
शहर की हवा से खाँसी बढ़ गई है।

Home Remedies

खाँसी के लिए अदरक अच्छी है।
शहद से खाँसी में आराम मिलता है।
तुलसी की चाय खाँसी ठीक करती है।
क्या आपकी खाँसी अब कम है?

Social Situations

माफ़ कीजिये, मुझे खाँसी आ रही है।
क्या आपको पानी चाहिए? आप खाँस रहे हैं।
खाँसते समय मुँह ढँक लें।
उसकी खाँसी से सब डर गए।

Conversation Starters

"क्या आपको भी इस प्रदूषण की वजह से खाँसी आ रही है?"

"आपकी खाँसी अब कैसी है? क्या आपने दवा ली?"

"क्या बच्चों को स्कूल में खाँसी-जुकाम फैल रहा है?"

"खाँसी के लिए आप कौन सा घरेलू नुस्खा इस्तेमाल करते हैं?"

"क्या आपको रात में सोते समय ज़्यादा खाँसी आती है?"

Journal Prompts

आज मेरी तबीयत ठीक नहीं थी, मुझे सुबह से खाँसी आ रही थी...

सर्दियों के मौसम में खाँसी से बचने के लिए मैं ये तरीके अपनाता हूँ...

जब मुझे आखिरी बार बहुत तेज़ खाँसी आई थी, तब मैंने क्या किया?

मेरे शहर में प्रदूषण और खाँसी की समस्या के बारे में मेरे विचार...

एक कहानी लिखें जहाँ एक पात्र की खाँसी ने उसे मुसीबत में डाल दिया।

Frequently Asked Questions

5 questions

You should say 'मुझे खाँसी आ रही है' (Mujhe khāmsī ā rahī hai). Do not say 'मैं खाँस रहा हूँ' in casual conversation as it sounds very formal.

It is feminine. This is why we say 'खाँसी आई' (past) and 'खाँसी आ रही है' (present). Using masculine endings is a common mistake.

'खाँसी आना' refers to the actual act or sensation of coughing at a moment. 'खाँसी होना' refers to the state of having a cough/illness. 'मुझे खाँसी है' means 'I have a cough'.

No, for a sneeze you must use 'छींक' (chhīnk). Sneeze is 'छींक आना'.

Use the adjective 'सूखी' (sūkhī). So, 'सूखी खाँसी' (sūkhī khāmsī).