Inklingo
← Dictionary

cigarro

/see-GAH-rroh/

cigarette

A simple illustration of a single, unlit white cigarette with a brown filter tip, set against a plain background.

In many Spanish-speaking regions, cigarro refers specifically to a cigarette.

cigarro(noun)

mA1

cigarette

?

a small roll of shredded tobacco wrapped in paper

Also:

smoke

?

informal way to ask for a cigarette

📝 In Action

¿Me das un cigarro, por favor? Se me acabó el mío.

A1

Can you give me a cigarette, please? I ran out of mine.

Ella fue afuera a fumar un cigarro durante el descanso.

A2

She went outside to smoke a cigarette during the break.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • pitillo (cigarette (common in Spain, less formal))
  • pucho (cigarette (Southern Cone slang))

Common Collocations

  • encender un cigarro – to light a cigarette
  • paquete de cigarros – pack of cigarettes

💡 Grammar Points

Masculine Noun

Remember that 'cigarro' is always a masculine word, so you must use 'el' (the) or 'un' (a) before it.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Regional Use

Mistake: "Using 'cigarro' to mean 'cigar' in Spain."

Correction: In Spain, it means 'cigarette.' For the larger tobacco product, use 'puro' or 'cigarro puro'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using the Diminutive

If you want to sound friendlier or specifically emphasize the small size (the cigarette), you can use the diminutive form: 'cigarrito'.

A simple illustration of a thick, brown cigar made of rolled tobacco leaves, featuring a simple red and gold band around the middle.

Cigarro can also refer to a cigar, a large roll of tobacco leaves.

cigarro(noun)

mB1

cigar

?

a large roll of tobacco leaves for smoking

📝 In Action

Mi abuelo solo fuma cigarros en ocasiones especiales.

B1

My grandfather only smokes cigars on special occasions.

Compramos un cigarro dominicano muy aromático.

B2

We bought a very aromatic Dominican cigar.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • puro (cigar (used globally, especially in Spain))
  • tabaco (tobacco)

Common Collocations

  • cigarro habano – Cuban cigar

⭐ Usage Tips

Regional Clarification

If you are in Mexico or the Caribbean, 'cigarro' almost certainly means 'cigar.' If you need a standard cigarette, use the diminutive 'cigarrito' to avoid confusion.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: cigarro

Question 1 of 2

If you are in Madrid and ask for 'un cigarro,' what are you most likely requesting?

📚 More Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'cigarro' mean 'cigarette' in Spain but 'cigar' in Mexico?

This is a classic case of regional drift. In Spain, the smaller, mass-produced product took over the general name. In Mexico and the Caribbean, the word kept its original meaning referring to the traditional, larger, rolled tobacco product (the cigar), and they use the diminutive form ('cigarrito') or other local words for the modern cigarette.

What is the safest word to use if I want to ask for a large cigar globally?

The word 'puro' is usually understood across the Spanish-speaking world to mean a large, hand-rolled cigar, avoiding the regional confusion associated with 'cigarro'.