Lessons
PocketSign
PocketSign

How to Sign "Cough"

To sign cough, form your dominant hand into a 'C' handshape. Bring your hand up to your chest with your palm facing inward. Tap the thumb and fingertips of your 'C' hand against your chest a couple of times. The motion should look like you are indicating the spasms in your chest when you cough.

Examples Using "Cough" in a Sentence

1

I have a bad cough.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'HAVE', and then 'BAD'. Finish by tapping your 'C' hand against your chest for 'COUGH'. Make sure to use a pained or uncomfortable facial expression to emphasize that the cough is bad.

2

Please cover your mouth when you cough.

Sign 'PLEASE', then use your hand to mimic covering your mouth. Next, sign 'COUGH' by tapping your chest. This is a very visual and direct way to ask someone to be polite when they are feeling under the weather.

3

The baby is coughing a lot.

Sign 'BABY' by cradling your arms, then sign 'COUGH'. To show that the coughing is continuous or happening 'a lot', you can repeat the tapping motion on your chest more times than usual and furrow your eyebrows.

How to Sign "Cough"
To sign cough, form your dominant hand into a 'C' handshape. Bring your hand up to your chest with your palm facing inward. Tap the thumb and fingertips of your 'C' hand against your chest a couple of times. The motion should look like you are indicating the spasms in your chest when you cough.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for cough is highly iconic and visually motivated. The 'C' handshape placed on the chest represents the lungs, which is the physical location where a respiratory cough originates. The repetitive tapping motion directly mimics the sudden, rhythmic spasms your chest makes during a coughing fit. It is a great example of how ASL uses the body to map out physical experiences.
Signing Tips
When signing cough, focus on keeping your 'C' handshape distinct so it doesn't look like a loose fist. Tap directly on your upper chest, right over your lungs. To make your signing more expressive and natural, add a slight forward hunch with your shoulders during each tap. This perfectly mimics the physical body mechanics of a real cough and helps convey your message clearly.
Common Mistakes
A very common mistake beginners make is using a flat palm instead of a 'C' handshape. Tapping your chest with a flat palm is the sign for 'my' or 'mine', which will completely change your sentence! Additionally, be careful not to tap your throat instead of your chest, as throat-tapping is used for signs related to swallowing, thirst, or choking.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Cough" in a Sentence
1

I have a bad cough.

To sign this, point to yourself for 'I', sign 'HAVE', and then 'BAD'. Finish by tapping your 'C' hand against your chest for 'COUGH'. Make sure to use a pained or uncomfortable facial expression to emphasize that the cough is bad.

2

Please cover your mouth when you cough.

Sign 'PLEASE', then use your hand to mimic covering your mouth. Next, sign 'COUGH' by tapping your chest. This is a very visual and direct way to ask someone to be polite when they are feeling under the weather.

3

The baby is coughing a lot.

Sign 'BABY' by cradling your arms, then sign 'COUGH'. To show that the coughing is continuous or happening 'a lot', you can repeat the tapping motion on your chest more times than usual and furrow your eyebrows.

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to make a coughing sound when I sign this?

No, you never need to use your voice or make actual sounds in ASL. However, slightly mimicking the physical action of a cough with your shoulders or mouthing the word can act as a helpful non-manual marker to add expression.

How is 'cough' different from the sign for 'sick'?

They are completely different signs. 'Sick' is signed by touching the middle fingers of both hands to your forehead and stomach at the same time. 'Cough' only uses one hand in a 'C' shape tapping the chest.

Should I use my right or left hand?

You should always use your dominant hand for one-handed signs like this. If you are right-handed, use your right hand to form the 'C' shape and tap your chest. If you are left-handed, use your left hand.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!