Translation guide
The English word 'tobacco' can refer to the plant, the dried leaves used for smoking, or products like cigarettes. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is タバコ, a loanword that covers all these meanings. This guide explains how to talk about tobacco naturally in Japanese.
Referring to tobacco as a substance, plant, or general category, including cigarettes and other products.
The most common and versatile word for tobacco, cigarettes, and smoking in general. Used in almost all everyday contexts.
The kanji form of タバコ, meaning 'smoke grass'. It is less common in modern writing but may appear in formal or literary contexts.
tobacco smoke
Specifically referring to a single cigarette or cigarettes as a product.
In context, タバコ can mean a cigarette. For clarity, you can use counters or specify '一本' (one stick).
Please give me a cigarette.
buy cigarettes
A loanword from English, used especially in product names or when emphasizing the Western style. Less common in daily speech.
Referring specifically to the tobacco plant (Nicotiana).
Referring to the act of smoking tobacco.
The English word 'tobacco' is a noun. To say 'smoke' as a verb, use タバコを吸う. The noun 'smoke' is 煙 (けむり).
Use the counter 本 (ほん) for cylindrical objects: 一本 (いっぽん), 二本 (にほん), etc. For packs, use 箱 (はこ): 一箱 (ひとはこ).
シガレットケース
cigarette case
Tobacco is a plant of the nightshade family.
喫煙禁止
No smoking
The smoking area is over there.