Yskäistä

Yskäistä is a Swedish verb meaning to cough. It describes the sudden, often forceful expulsion of air from the lungs, typically accompanied by a characteristic sound. This action can be voluntary or involuntary and serves various physiological purposes.

Physiologically, coughing is a reflex mechanism designed to clear the airways of irritants, mucus, or foreign particles. When the respiratory tract is stimulated, nerve endings send signals to the brain, triggering the cough reflex. This involves a deep inhalation followed by a forceful exhalation against a closed glottis, which then opens rapidly, creating the audible sound of a cough.

In everyday language, yskäistä is used to describe the act of coughing, whether it is a minor throat-clearing cough or a more severe, persistent one. It can be used in contexts such as describing someone feeling unwell, a reaction to dust or smoke, or as a deliberate attempt to get attention. The term encompasses both the physical act and the sound produced. While yskäistä generally refers to a single cough, the verb can also be used to describe repeated coughing episodes.