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tos means cough — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: July 2, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

tos

noun • /[tos]/

cough

Example:

¿Cuánto tiempo lleva con la tos?

How long have you had the cough?

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🧠 What does tos mean?

Tos translates to 'cough' in English. It refers to the sudden, forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, often involuntary and caused by irritation or illness. It can be a dry cough (tos seca) or a productive cough (tos productiva) with phlegm (flema). Understanding how to talk about coughs is essential for navigating medical situations in Spanish.

📚 Extra examples

  • Tengo una tos terrible.
    I have a terrible cough.
  • Mi tos no desaparece.
    My cough won't go away.
  • He tenido tos durante una semana.
    I've had a cough for a week.
  • Esa tos suena mal.
    That cough sounds bad.
  • El médico me recetó un jarabe para la tos.
    The doctor prescribed me cough syrup.

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'cough' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'cough' is 'tos'.
How do you pronounce 'tos' in Spanish?
It's pronounced 'tohs,' with the 's' sounding like the 's' in 'sun'.
How do you use 'tos' in a sentence?
You can use it like this: 'Tengo tos' (I have a cough), or 'Me da tos' (It makes me cough).
What is the English translation of 'tos'?
'Tos' translates to 'cough' in English.
Does 'tos' change for gender or number?
No, 'tos' is a singular, feminine noun, but it doesn't change its form.
Is 'tos' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, 'tos' is a common word, especially during cold and flu season.
Does 'tos' have slang or double meanings?
Not really. It's a straightforward medical term.
Is 'tos' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
No, the meaning and usage of 'tos' are generally the same across Spanish-speaking regions.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "tos"

Synonyms: ataque de tos

💡 Did You Know?

While 'tos' itself doesn't change, you can describe different types of coughs using adjectives, like 'tos seca' (dry cough) or 'tos ferina' (whooping cough).

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