husten
to cough
To expel air from the lungs suddenly and noisily, often as a symptom of a cold or irritation of the airways.
EXAMPLE
Wegen seiner Erkältung musste er die ganze Nacht husten.
Because of his cold, he had to cough all night.
husten
to cough
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Meanings
jemandem etwas husten
no way
A colloquial idiom used to express a strict refusal to do something. It means something like "I definitely won't do that."
EXAMPLE
Du willst, dass ich deine Arbeit erledige? Ich werde dir was husten!
You want me to do your work? No way!
Usage tips
Context clue
You can recognize the colloquial meaning by its fixed structure: there is always a person in the dative to whom one "etwas" or "was" hustet. If this structure is missing, the literal meaning is almost always intended.
EXAMPLE
Er hustet stark wegen seiner Allergie.
He is coughing badly because of his allergy.
Use without an object
In its main meaning, 'husten' (to cough) is used as an intransitive verb, usually without an object. The sentence 'Das Kind hustet' (The child is coughing) is already complete and grammatically correct.
EXAMPLE
Wenn man krank ist, sollte man in die Armbeuge husten.
When you're sick, you should cough into the crook of your arm.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'jemandem etwas husten' has a fixed structure. The person refusing is the subject. The person whose wish is being rejected is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Mein Chef will, dass ich am Wochenende arbeite. Dem werde ich was husten!
My boss wants me to work on the weekend. No way!
Colloquial style
This idiom is very colloquial and expresses a defiant refusal. You should only use it in very informal situations.
EXAMPLE
Du glaubst, ich helfe dir nach dieser Lüge? Da kann ich dir was husten!
You think I'll help you after that lie? No way!
Compare with
husten vs ablehnen
to reject
Ablehnen is the neutral way to say no to a request or suggestion. Jemandem etwas husten is a colloquial idiom for a very firm refusal and sounds considerably sharper or cheekier. Use ablehnen in factual situations; in a casual argument, husten can intensify the attitude.
husten
Als er noch mehr Geld verlangte, huste ich ihm was.
When he demanded even more money, I told him, "No way."
ablehnen
Sie lehnte die Bitte um einen weiteren Termin höflich ab.
She politely rejected the request for another appointment.
In real life
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