tabaco
/tah-BAH-koh/
tobacco
The most literal meaning of 'tabaco' is the tobacco plant or the substance derived from it.
📝 In Action
El tabaco es una planta originaria de América.
A1Tobacco is a plant native to America.
Compré una bolsa de tabaco para liar mis propios cigarrillos.
A2I bought a pouch of tobacco to roll my own cigarettes.
💡 Grammar Points
Always Masculine
Even though it ends in '-o', remember that 'tabaco' is always a masculine noun, meaning you must use 'el' or 'un' before it.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using the Article
When talking about tobacco generally, Spanish often uses the definite article 'el': 'El tabaco es malo para la salud' (Tobacco is bad for health).
Informally, 'tabaco' can be used to mean 'a cigarette' or 'a smoke.'
📝 In Action
¿Me regalas un tabaco? Olvidé los míos en casa.
B1Can you give me a cigarette? I forgot mine at home.
El señor estaba fumando un tabaco enorme en el balcón.
B2The gentleman was smoking a huge cigar on the balcony.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
If you are in Spain, use 'cigarro' or 'pitillo' to ask for a cigarette. Using 'tabaco' for a single cigarette is more common in parts of Latin America, but 'cigarro' is safer everywhere.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: tabaco
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'tabaco' to mean the raw material, not a single item?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
¿Cuál es la diferencia entre 'tabaco' y 'cigarro'?
Generally, 'tabaco' refers to the plant or substance itself ('I quit tobacco'). 'Cigarro' usually means a manufactured cigarette ('I need a cigarette'). However, in some regions, 'un tabaco' can be used informally to mean 'a cigarette' or 'a cigar,' so context matters!