痰(たん)

たん
noun
phlegm; sputum
1. phlegm; sputum
Thick mucus produced in the respiratory tract, especially when one has a cold, bronchitis, or other respiratory illness. Coughed up from the throat.
痰(たん)が絡(から)んで声(こえ)が出(で)にくい。
Phlegm is stuck in my throat and it's hard to speak.
風邪(かぜ)をひいて痰(たん)が出(で)る。
I have a cold and am coughing up phlegm.
黄色(きいろ)い痰(たん)が出(で)る場合(ばあい)は細菌(さいきん)感染(かんせん)の可能性(かのうせい)がある。
If yellow phlegm is produced, there may be a bacterial infection.

USAGE:
A common word when describing cold and respiratory symptoms at a doctor's visit. Useful to know for medical consultations in Japan.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 痰(たん)が出(で)る (to produce phlegm)
  • 痰(たん)が絡(から)む (to have phlegm stuck in one's throat)
  • 痰(たん)を切(き)る (to clear phlegm)
  • 痰(たん)が絡(から)んだ咳(せき) (a phlegmy cough)

RELATED WORDS:

  • 咳(せき): cough
  • 鼻水(はなみず): runny nose
general
Added 2026.3.19 17:30
17500/17896_tan