symptoms
Cough
咳 (seki)
A cough is a reflex action that clears the throat and airways of irritants, mucus, and foreign particles. Acute coughs are usually caused by infections (cold, flu, COVID-19). Chronic coughs lasting more than three weeks may indicate asthma, allergies, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). In Japan, tuberculosis must be considered in persistent cough, and free screening is available for long-term residents.
Wearing a mask while coughing is deeply embedded in Japanese social norms; clinics may ask coughing patients to wear one while waiting.
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Cough |
| Japanese (日本語) | 咳 |
| Chinese (中文) | 咳嗽 |
| Korean (한국어) | 기침 |
| Portuguese | Tosse |
| Spanish | Tos |
| Filipino | Ubo |
| Thai | ไอ |
| Vietnamese | Ho |
| Romanization | seki |
Learn more in the guide:
Read the guide →Last reviewed: September 2026