A child covering their mouth with their hand while coughing, with soft blue puffs of air to show the action.

tos

tohss

nounfA1

cough?the physical act or sound of coughing

Also:coughing fit?a sudden, sharp period of coughing

📝 In Action

Tengo una tos muy seca desde ayer.

I've had a very dry cough since yesterday.

Tómate este jarabe para la tos.

Take this cough syrup.

Esa tos no suena nada bien.

That cough doesn't sound good at all.

Word Connections

Common Collocations

tos seca – dry cough
jarabe para la tos – cough syrup
ataque de tos – coughing fit
pastillas para la tos – cough drops

Idioms & Expressions

No darle a alguien ni la tos – To ignore someone completely or treat them as if they are worthless

💡 Grammar Points

The 'S' Trap

Even though this word ends in 's', it is feminine and singular. You must use 'la' or 'una' with it (la tos), not 'el' or 'un'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Gender Error

Mistake: "El tos"

Correction: La tos. Words ending in 's' are often masculine, but this is a common exception you just have to memorize.

⭐ Usage Tips

Describing the sound

To say you 'have' a cough, use the verb 'tener' (Tengo tos). To describe it, we often use the word 'seca' (dry) or 'con flemas' (with phlegm/productive).

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: tos

Question 1 of 2

Which of the following is the correct way to say 'the cough'?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

toser(to cough) - verb

tosidito(a little cough) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'tos' plural because it ends in 's'?

No, 'tos' is singular. The plural form is 'toses,' though it is rarely used because we usually talk about 'the cough' as a general condition.

Is there a verb for 'to cough'?

Yes, the verb is 'toser'.