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.
ここは喫煙禁止です。
Smoking is prohibited here.
喫煙所はどこですか。
Where is the smoking area?
The most common way to say 'to smoke' in everyday conversation. Literally 'to inhale tobacco'.
彼は毎日タバコを吸います。
He smokes cigarettes every day.
ここでタバコを吸ってもいいですか。
Is it okay to smoke here?
The verb 'to smoke' when the object (cigarette, etc.) is clear from context. Can also mean 'to inhale' or 'to suck'.
ちょっと外で吸ってきます。
I'm going outside for a smoke.
The verb form of 喫煙, used in more formal or written contexts.
この施設内では喫煙しないでください。
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.
私はタバコを吸いません。
I don't smoke.
彼女は1日に1箱タバコを吸います。
She smokes a pack a day.
Referring to smoking marijuana, opium, etc.
To smoke marijuana. 大麻 (taima) is the legal/formal term for cannabis.
彼は大麻を吸って捕まった。
He was caught smoking marijuana.
Preserving or flavoring food with smoke.
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.
あの工場の煙突から煙が出ている。
That factory chimney is smoking.
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.
Noun meaning 'smoker'. Used in surveys, medical contexts, or formal descriptions.
彼はヘビースモーカーで、1日2箱吸います。
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'.
祖父は筋金入りの愛煙家だった。
My grandfather was a dyed-in-the-wool tobacco lover.
More colloquial, using the loanword マリファナ.
若者の間でマリファナを吸うことが増えている。
Smoking marijuana is increasing among young people.
To smoke opium. Historical or literary context.
19世紀にはアヘンを吸うことが流行した。
In the 19th century, smoking opium became popular.
The noun for 'smoking' as a food preparation method. Also used for smoked foods.
このベーコンは燻製の香りが強い。
This bacon has a strong smoky flavor.
燻製は保存方法として古くから使われてきた。
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'.
チーズを桜のチップで燻す。
Smoke the cheese with cherry wood chips.
The stove is smoking.