Translation guide
Phlegm refers to thick mucus in the throat or respiratory tract. In Japanese, the most common word is 痰 (たん), but expressions for coughing it up or having it stuck in the throat are also important.
The general term for phlegm as a substance.
The standard medical and everyday word for phlegm. Used in phrases like 'to cough up phlegm'.
I have phlegm stuck in my throat.
痰を切る薬を飲んだ。
I took medicine to clear out phlegm.
The action of bringing up phlegm from the throat or lungs.
Literally 'to spit out phlegm'. This is the most direct way to say 'to cough up phlegm'.
彼は道に痰を吐いた。
He spat phlegm on the street.
Means 'to clear phlegm' or 'to get rid of phlegm', often used in the context of medicine or remedies.
この薬は痰を切る効果がある。
This medicine is effective at clearing phlegm.
Means 'phlegm comes out', a common way to describe having phlegm when coughing.
咳をすると痰が出る。
When I cough, phlegm comes up.
The sensation of phlegm that won't come out.
Describes the uncomfortable feeling of phlegm caught in the throat. Very common in everyday speech.
朝起きると痰が絡んでいる。
When I wake up in the morning, I have phlegm stuck in my throat.
More literally 'phlegm is caught in the throat'. Slightly more descriptive than 痰が絡む.
喉に痰が引っかかって苦しい。
I have phlegm stuck in my throat and it's uncomfortable.
Describing phlegm when talking to a doctor or about health.
痰 (たん) refers specifically to phlegm from the respiratory tract. Saliva is 唾液 (だえき) or more casually つば. Using 痰 for saliva is incorrect.
To describe the color of phlegm, use 色 (いろ) after 痰: 黄色い痰 (きいろいたん) 'yellow phlegm', 緑色の痰 (みどりいろのたん) 'green phlegm'.
一日中痰が出ています。
I've been coughing up phlegm all day.
痰に効く薬はありますか？
Do you have any medicine for phlegm?