Entry
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).
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Represents coughing sounds. The voiced 'gohogoho' describes a heavy, deep, hacking cough often associated with a severe cold. The unvoiced 'kohokoho' describes a lighter, drier, or more polite cough. Secondarily, it can describe deep reverberating noises like thundering or drumming.
- heavy cough
- light cough
- deep rumbling
Sense Map
Heavy Cough (Gohogoho)
A heavy, deep, or hacking cough from a severe cold.
風邪でゴホゴホと咳き込む。
Light Cough (Kohokoho)
A light, dry, or polite cough.
彼女はコホコホと小さく咳をした。
Rumbling/Drumming
A deep, low reverberating noise like a distant drum.
太鼓の音がゴホゴホと響く。
Usage Note
How to Use
ゴホゴホと + verb
Used with verbs like 'seki o suru' (to cough) or 'hibiku' (to echo) to describe the manner of the action.
ゴホゴホ + verb
コホコホと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ゴホゴホと咳をする
to cough heavily
ゴホゴホ咳き込む
to have a severe coughing fit
コホコホと咳払いする
to give a light cough or clear the throat
ゴホゴホ鳴る
to rumble or sound deeply
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Having a bad cold | Negative | Implies suffering from a severe, painful cough. |
| Clearing throat politely | Neutral | Uses the unvoiced 'kohokoho' to avoid drawing too much attention. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
げほげほ げほげほ / similar | When describing a very wet, phlegmy cough. | Gohogoho describes a heavy, deep cough, but gehogeho specifically implies there is phlegm or it is wet. | げほげほと痰が絡む |
こんこん こんこん / contrast | When describing a dry, continuous, or lighter cough, often of children or small animals. | Konkon is lighter and sharper, whereas gohogoho is deeper and sounds more severe. | コンコンと軽い咳が出る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'gohogoho' for a polite throat clearing.
Use 'kohokoho' or 'ehhen' for polite throat clearing; 'gohogoho' sounds like you are very sick.
Assuming 'gohogoho' always means drumming.
While it can mean a deep drumming sound, it is overwhelmingly used for coughing in daily life.
Examples
Examples
風邪をこじらせて、朝からゴホゴホと咳が止まらない。
かぜを こじらせて、あさから ゴホゴホと せきが とまらない。
My cold has worsened, and I haven't been able to stop coughing heavily (gohogoho) since morning.
LiteralShows the severity of the cough and the deep discomfort caused by the illness.
煙を吸い込んでしまい、思わずゴホゴホと咳き込んだ。
けむりを すいこんで しまい、おもわず ゴホゴホと せきこんだ。
I accidentally inhaled some smoke, and involuntarily started having a severe coughing fit.
LiteralDescribes the strong, sudden reflexive cough in response to an irritant.
彼女はコホコホと小さく咳をしてから話し始めた。
かのじょは コホコホと ちいさく せきを してから はなしはじめた。
She gave a soft, light cough (kohokoho) before she started speaking.
LiteralHighlights the use of the unvoiced 'kohokoho' for a light, polite cough or throat clearing.
部屋が乾燥しているせいか、子供がコホコホと咳をしている。
へやが かんそう している せいか、こどもが コホコホと せきを している。
Perhaps because the room is dry, the child is coughing lightly (kohokoho).
LiteralIndicates a dry, superficial cough that is not overly severe.
遠くからお祭りの太鼓がゴホゴホと低く響いてきた。
とおくから おまつりの たいこが ゴホゴホと ひくく ひびいて きた。
From a distance, the festival drums echoed with a low, deep rumble (gohogoho).
LiteralExplains the secondary meaning of a deep, resonating sound, though less common than the coughing meaning.
Similar Words
Questions
What is the difference between gohogoho and kohokoho?
Gohogoho is a heavy, deep cough, while kohokoho is a light, dry cough.
Can gohogoho be used for a dry cough?
Gohogoho usually implies a heavy, deep cough. For a dry, lighter cough, it is better to use kohokoho or konkon.
Does gohogoho only describe coughing?
While mostly used for coughing, it can occasionally describe deep, rumbling sounds, like the distant beating of large drums.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2761610
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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