痰(たん) たん noun phlegm; sputum medicalbody-internal 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. UsageA 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 Related Words Related: 咳(せき) (cough) Related: 鼻水(はなみず) (runny nose) general Added 2026.3.19 17:30 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01 17500/17896_tan