(coll.) to be interested in (often used in the negative)
HSK 3, unknown, rank #4304, Medium
感冒
gǎnmào
(Tw) to detest
HSK 3, unknown, rank #4304, Medium
感冒
gǎnmào
can't stand
HSK 3, unknown, rank #4304, Medium
gǎnmào(gan3mao4) T3
1to catch cold
2(common) cold
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March 24, 2026
感冒gǎnmào(gan3mao4)
感冒 (gǎn mào) means to catch a cold, which refers to a common viral infection causing symptoms like a runny nose and cough. It can also denote a general feeling of being unwell. In colloquial usage, it might express disinterest or aversion, often used in the negative form.
Frequency#4304DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing health and cold symptoms is quite common, especially during seasonal changes when colds are frequent. Traditional remedies like ginger tea are often recommended for treating 感冒.
Memory Tip
Imagine a person feeling 'gān' (干, dry) and 'mào' (帽, hat) because they are too cold and have to wear a hat due to catching a cold. Visualize them shivering as they sneeze, making the connection between the chilly feeling and the word 感冒.
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AI Study Notes for 感冒
Quick Contrast
感冒 (gǎnmào) vs 生病 (shēngbìng) — use 感冒 specifically for catching a cold, while 生病 refers to being ill in a broader sense.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a person feeling 'gān' (干, dry) and 'mào' (帽, hat) because they are too cold and have to wear a hat due to catching a cold. Visualize them shivering as they sneeze, making the connection between the chilly feeling and the word 感冒.
Usage Notes
Common mistakes include using 感冒 in contexts where other terms like '生病' (shēng bìng, to be sick) would be more appropriate. This term is generally informal, so it's best suited for casual conversations rather than formal writing. Be mindful to use the correct tone, as mispronouncing it could lead to confusion with other words.
HSK Study Tips
As an HSK Level 3 word, 感冒 connects with other health-related vocabulary such as 病 (bìng, illness) and 医生 (yī shēng, doctor). Students should focus on pronunciation and understanding the contexts in which it can express both physical illness and emotional aversion.
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, discussing health and cold symptoms is quite common, especially during seasonal changes when colds are frequent. Traditional remedies like ginger tea are often recommended for treating 感冒.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 感冒 with 生病 (shēng bìng). For example, saying '我生病了' (wǒ shēng bìng le) when specifically referring to a cold is incorrect; it’s more accurate to say '我感冒了' (wǒ gǎn mào le).
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 感冒
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Grammar Patterns of 感冒
感冒 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. It carries 6 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
gǎn mào kāi shǐ shí tōng cháng huì liú bí tì、 、 sǎng zǐ fā。
A cold usually starts with a streaming nose and dry throat.
Cultural Notes for 感冒
🏮Cultural insight
In Chinese culture, discussing health and cold symptoms is quite common, especially during seasonal changes when colds are frequent. Traditional remedies like ginger tea are often recommended for treating 感冒.
Frequently Asked Questions about 感冒
You can say '我感冒了' (wǒ gǎn mào le), meaning 'I caught a cold.'
Yes, in colloquial contexts, it can imply being uninterested, often used negatively like '我对这个话题感冒' (I am not interested in this topic).
In Taiwan, you can say '我对这个感冒' to express strong dislike, but it’s less common in mainland China.
