Usage note
感冒是指身体不舒服，打喷嚏、流鼻涕和咳嗽。
gǎnmào shì zhǐ shēntǐ bù kěnɡ, dǎ pēnti、liú bí tì hé qīké。
Having a cold means feeling unwell with sneezing, runny nose, and coughing.
Context note
感冒常在天气变化时发生，或者与家人朋友一起吃饭后出现。
gǎnmào cháng zài tiānqì biànhuà shí fāshēnɡ， huòzhě yǔ jiārén péngyǒu yīqǐ chīfàn hòu chūxiàn。
Colds often occur when the weather changes or after eating with family and friends.
5 examples
他感冒了，所以没来上学。
tā gǎn mào le， suǒ yǐ méi lái shàng xué。
He had a cold so he didn't come to school.
妈妈给他买了感冒药。
mā ma gěi tā mǎi le gǎn mào yào。
Mom bought him some cold medicine.
感冒了要多喝水，休息好。
gǎn mào le yào duō hē shuǐ， xiū xi hǎo。
When you have a cold, drink more water and rest well.
感冒的人不要去幼儿园。
gǎn mào de rén bú yào qù yòu ér yuán。
People with a cold shouldn't go to kindergarten.
医生说他只是普通感冒。
yī shēng shuō tā zhǐ shì pǔ tōng gǎn mào。
The doctor said he just had a common cold.
5 mini stories
小明感冒了，他妈妈带他去看医生。
xiǎo míng gǎn mào le， tā mā ma dài tā qù kàn yī shēng。
Xiaoming had a cold, his mom took him to see the doctor.
小红感冒了，她在家休息。
xiǎo hóng gǎn mào le， tā zài jiā xiū xi。
Xiao Hong had a cold, she rested at home.
昨天我感冒了，今天好多了。
zuó tiān wǒ gǎn mào le， jīn tiān hǎo duō le。
I had a cold yesterday, I feel much better today.
感冒的时候要多穿衣服，不要着凉。
gǎn mào de shí hòu yào duō chuān yī fu， bú yào zháo liáng。
When you have a cold, wear more clothes to avoid getting chilled.
感冒了要多喝水，不要吃油腻的食物。
gǎn mào le yào duō hē shuǐ， bú yào chī yóu nì de shí wù。
When you have a cold, drink more water and avoid greasy food.
Mini dialogue
不舒服
A
你怎么了？
Nǐ zěnme le?
What's wrong with you?
B
我感冒了，有点头疼。
Wǒ gǎnmào le, yǒudiǎn tóuténg.
I have a cold, and a bit of a headache.
多喝水
A
感冒了要多喝水。
Gǎnmào le yào duō hē shuǐ.
When you have a cold, you should drink more water.
B
好的，我知道了。
Hǎo de, wǒ zhīdào le.
Okay, I understand.
Related words and contrasts
related
发烧
fā shāo
to have a fever
发烧 (fever) often happens together with a cold.
related
咳嗽
ké sou
to cough
咳嗽 (cough) is another common symptom of a cold.