Entry
げほげほ
gehogeho
Represents the sound or action of a heavy, wet, or phlegmy cough.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word that describes the sound of a wet, chesty cough, usually indicating the presence of phlegm. It highlights the heavy and sickly nature of the cough, contrasting with dry hacking coughs.
- Wet cough
- Choking on liquid
Sense Map
Sound
The literal sound of a wet, phlegmy cough.
ゲホゲホと咳をする
Action/State
The act of coughing wetly due to illness or choking.
ゲホゲホしている
Usage Note
How to Use
ゲホゲホと + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how someone is coughing, often followed by verbs like 咳をする (to cough) or むせる (to choke).
ゲホゲホ + する
Acts as a verb to mean to have a wet cough or to cough wetly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ゲホゲホと咳をする
to cough wetly
ゲホゲホする
to have a wet cough
ゲホゲホと咳き込む
to have a fit of wet coughing
ゲホゲホとむせる
to choke and cough wetly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Health and illness | negative | Indicates feeling unwell with a chesty cough. |
| Choking on liquids or smoke | neutral | Can describe the wet coughing sound after accidentally inhaling something irritating. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごほごほ ごほごほ / contrast | When describing a deep, dry, or hacking cough. | ゴホゴホ lacks the wet or phlegmy nuance of ゲホゲホ. | ゴホゴホと咳をする |
げふんげふん げふんげふん / contrast | When mimicking an exaggerated, fake, or ahem type of cough to get attention. | ゲフンゲフン is often intentional or theatrical, whereas ゲホゲホ is a genuine symptom of illness. | ゲフンゲフンと咳払いをする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ゲホゲホ for a dry, scratchy throat.
Use コンコン or ゴホゴホ for dry coughs; ゲホゲホ implies phlegm or wetness.
Translating it simply as cough without the wet nuance.
Remember that it specifically describes a heavy, wet cough.
Examples
Examples
風邪を引いて、朝からゲホゲホと咳が出ている。
かぜをひいて、あさからゲホゲホとせきがでている。
I caught a cold and have had a wet cough since this morning.
LiteralIndicates a literal symptom of a cold with mucus.
おじいさんが奥の部屋で苦しそうにゲホゲホしている。
おじいさんがおくのへやでくるしそうにゲホゲホしている。
My grandfather is coughing wetly and painfully in the back room.
LiteralDescribes an ongoing action of coughing heavily.
煙をたくさん吸い込んでしまい、ゲホゲホとむせた。
けむりをたくさんすいこんでしまい、ゲホゲホとむせた。
I inhaled a lot of smoke and choked with a wet cough.
LiteralShows coughing as a reaction to irritation.
痰が絡んで、一晩中ゲホゲホと咳き込んで眠れなかった。
たんがからんで、ひとばんじゅうゲホゲホとせきこんでねむれなかった。
My phlegm was stuck, and I coughed wetly all night, unable to sleep.
LiteralExplicitly links the word to the presence of phlegm.
水を急いで飲んだら気管に入り、ゲホゲホしてしまった。
みずをいそいでのんだらきかんにはいり、ゲホゲホしてしまった。
I drank water too quickly, it went down the wrong pipe, and I started coughing wetly.
LiteralDescribes a sudden wet cough from choking on liquid.
Similar Words
ゴホゴホ
gohogoho
A mimetic word representing the sound of a cough, ranging from a heavy, deep cough (gohogoho) to a light, dry cough (kohokoho). ゴホゴホ is for a deep, dry hacking cough, unlike the wet ゲホゲホ.
ゲフンゲフン
gefungefun
ゲフンゲフン is an exaggerated fake cough used to say "ahem," interrupt politely, or express awkwardness and hidden disagreement. ゲフンゲフン is often a fake cough or clearing of the throat for attention.
Questions
What is the difference between ゲホゲホ and ゴホゴホ?
ゲホゲホ implies a wet, phlegmy cough, while ゴホゴホ describes a deep, dry, hacking cough.
Can I use ゲホゲホ for a light cough?
No, a light or dry cough is better described as コンコン.
Is ゲホゲホ used as a verb?
Yes, you can use it as a verb by adding する to make ゲホゲホする, meaning to cough wetly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2763830
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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