Translation guide
The act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco or a drug, or the general concept of smoking. In Japanese, the most common way to express this is with the noun 喫煙 (kitsuen) or the verb 吸う (suu).
Referring to the action of smoking a cigarette, pipe, etc.
The standard noun for 'smoking' as an activity. Used in signs, rules, and formal contexts.
Smoking is prohibited here.
The most common way to say 'to smoke' in everyday conversation. Literally 'to inhale tobacco'.
He smokes cigarettes every day.
The verb 'to smoke' when the object (cigarette, etc.) is clear from context. Can also mean 'to inhale' or 'to suck'.
The verb form of 喫煙, used in more formal or written contexts.
Please do not smoke inside this facility.
Talking about whether someone is a smoker or the habit of smoking.
Used to describe the habit. Often with frequency words.
Referring to smoking marijuana, opium, etc.
To smoke marijuana. 大麻 (taima) is the legal/formal term for cannabis.
Preserving or flavoring food with smoke.
The noun for 'smoking' as a food preparation method. Also used for smoked foods.
Describing an object that is producing visible smoke, like a chimney, fire, or engine.
Literally 'smoke is coming out'. The most natural way to say something is smoking/smoldering.
The loanword スモーキング (sumōkingu) is rarely used in natural Japanese. It might appear in some contexts like 'smoking jacket' (スモーキングジャケット) or 'smoking gun', but for the act of smoking, use 喫煙 or タバコを吸う.
喫煙 is more formal and often used in written rules, signs, and official contexts. タバコを吸う is the everyday conversational phrase. In casual speech, 吸う alone is enough when context is clear.
Where is the smoking area?
ここでタバコを吸ってもいいですか。
Is it okay to smoke here?
I'm going outside for a smoke.
I don't smoke.
She smokes a pack a day.
Noun meaning 'smoker'. Used in surveys, medical contexts, or formal descriptions.
He is a heavy smoker and smokes two packs a day.
A somewhat old-fashioned or literary term for a 'tobacco lover' or 'enthusiastic smoker'.
My grandfather was a dyed-in-the-wool tobacco lover.
He was caught smoking marijuana.
More colloquial, using the loanword マリファナ.
Smoking marijuana is increasing among young people.
To smoke opium. Historical or literary context.
In the 19th century, smoking opium became popular.
This bacon has a strong smoky flavor.
Smoking has been used as a preservation method since ancient times.
The verb 'to smoke (food)'. Can also mean 'to fumigate' or 'to smoke out'.
Smoke the cheese with cherry wood chips.
That factory chimney is smoking.
The stove is smoking.
Verb meaning 'to smoke' or 'to be smoky', often used for a hazy or smoke-filled atmosphere.
The room is smoky.