Translation guide
The English word 'smoke' can be a noun (visible vapor) or a verb (to inhale/exhale tobacco, to cook with smoke, or to emit smoke). This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each use.
smoke (noun)
smoke a cigarette
Referring to the gray/black cloud produced by burning something.
The act of smoking a cigarette, cigar, pipe, etc.
The standard verb for smoking. Object is typically タバコ (cigarette).
Cooking method where food is exposed to smoke for flavor and preservation.
The standard phrase for 'to smoke (food)'. Literally 'make into smoked product'.
Describing something that produces smoke as a byproduct.
General phrase meaning 'to emit smoke'. Works for chimneys, engines, fires.
The loanword スモーク is mainly used in compounds like スモークサーモン (smoked salmon) or スモークガラス (smoked glass). For visible vapor from fire, always use 煙 (けむり).
吸う (すう) is the everyday verb for smoking. 喫煙する (きつえんする) is formal and often seen on signs or in official contexts. In casual speech, タバコを吸う is most natural.
スモークサーモンが好きです。
I like smoked salmon.
彼は一日に一箱タバコを吸う。
He smokes a pack of cigarettes a day.
Is it okay to smoke here?
Explicit phrase meaning 'to smoke a cigarette'. Very common.
The number of people who smoke is decreasing.
Formal verb for smoking, often used in signs and rules.
You cannot smoke in this area.
I smoked the salmon.
Verb meaning 'to smoke (food)' or 'to fumigate'. Less common in daily cooking.
Smoke meat to preserve it.
That factory is emitting black smoke.
Intransitive version: 'smoke comes out'. Often used for accidental smoke.
Smoke came out of the engine.