Inklingo
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humo

/oo-moh/

smoke

Gray smoke billows upward from a small, red brick chimney against a bright blue sky, clearly illustrating the visible gas produced by burning.

Humo, meaning 'smoke,' refers to the visible gas resulting from burning materials.

humo(noun)

mA1

smoke

?

visible gas from burning

Also:

fume

?

gas or vapor

📝 In Action

Había mucho humo saliendo de la chimenea.

A1

There was a lot of smoke coming out of the chimney.

El olor a humo me picaba los ojos.

A2

The smell of smoke was stinging my eyes.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • echar humo – to give off smoke
  • una columna de humo – a column of smoke

💡 Grammar Points

Gender Tip

Since 'humo' ends in -o, it is a masculine noun, so you always use 'el' or 'un' before it: 'el humo'.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Noun and Verb

Mistake: "Using 'humo' when you mean the verb 'to smoke' (like a cigarette)."

Correction: Use the noun 'humo' for the substance, and the verb 'fumar' (to smoke) for the action. Example: 'No me gusta el humo, pero él fuma.' (I don't like the smoke, but he smokes.)

⭐ Usage Tips

Smoky Flavor

If you want to talk about food that has a smoky flavor, the related word 'ahumado' (smoked) is what you need. Example: 'queso ahumado' (smoked cheese).

A cartoonish figure stands boastfully, gesturing dramatically, while thin, dissipating puffs of smoke (representing empty promises or hot air) float away from their open mouth.

Figuratively, 'humo' can mean 'hot air' or empty talk, representing boasting or empty promises.

humo(noun)

mB2

hot air

?

empty promises, boasting

Also:

conceit

?

arrogance, vanity

,

hype

?

exaggerated claims

📝 In Action

Ese candidato solo vende humo, no tiene planes reales.

B2

That candidate is just selling hot air (making empty promises), he has no real plans.

Desde que lo ascendieron, el humo se le ha subido a la cabeza.

C1

Since he was promoted, the conceit has gone to his head (he has become arrogant).

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fanfarronería (boasting)
  • arrogancia (arrogance)

Idioms & Expressions

  • vender humo – To make empty promises or boast about things that aren't true.
  • subírsele el humo a la cabeza – To become arrogant or conceited due to success.

💡 Grammar Points

Figurative Meaning

This meaning uses 'humo' because smoke is insubstantial and disappears quickly, symbolizing something that sounds impressive but has no real value.

⭐ Usage Tips

Using 'Vender'

The phrase 'vender humo' is one of the most common ways to use this figurative meaning. It implies that someone is trying to trick or impress others with false promises.

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: humo

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'humo' in its figurative meaning (to mean boastfulness)?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

humear(to smoke, to steam (verb)) - verb
ahumar(to smoke (food, like meat or fish) (verb)) - verb
ahumado(smoked (adjective)) - adjective

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I say 'smoke' a cigarette using 'humo'?

'Humo' is the noun (the smoke itself). To talk about the action of smoking, you must use the verb 'fumar.' For example, 'Ella fuma un cigarrillo' (She smokes a cigarette).

What is the difference between 'humo' and 'vapor'?

'Humo' usually refers to the visible product of something burning (like wood or a fire). 'Vapor' refers to steam or the gaseous state of water or other liquids, like from a kettle.