fumar
“fumar” means “to smoke” in Spanish (tobacco, cigarettes, cigars).
to smokeAlso: to puff
📝 In Action
¿Puedes fumar afuera, por favor? Hace mucho calor aquí dentro.
A1Can you smoke outside, please? It's very hot in here.
Dejó de fumar hace cinco años y se siente mucho mejor.
A2He stopped smoking five years ago and feels much better.
La ley prohíbe fumar en todos los espacios públicos cerrados.
B1The law prohibits smoking in all enclosed public spaces.
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: fumar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the imperative (command form) to tell a friend to stop smoking?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The word comes directly from the Latin verb *fūmāre*, which meant 'to smoke' or 'to steam/fume.' This shows the word has been used for the same action for thousands of years.
First recorded: 13th century (in Spanish)
Cognates (Related words)
💡 Master Spanish
Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Fumar is always about tobacco?
No, while the most common context is tobacco, 'fumar' simply means 'to smoke' and can be used for any substance, such as 'fumar marihuana' (to smoke marijuana) or 'fumar en pipa' (to smoke a pipe).
How do I ask someone if they smoke?
The most natural and common way is to ask using the present tense: '¿Fumas?' (Do you smoke?) or the more formal '¿Usted fuma?'