Inklingo

How to Say "smoke" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “smoke” is “humo” — use 'humo' when referring to the visible vapor or gas produced by burning materials..

English → Spanish

humo

/oo-moh//ˈumo/

nounA1general
Use 'humo' when referring to the visible vapor or gas produced by burning materials.
Gray smoke billows upward from a small, red brick chimney against a bright blue sky, clearly illustrating the visible gas produced by burning.

Examples

Había mucho humo saliendo de la chimenea.

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

El olor a humo me picaba los ojos.

The smell of smoke was stinging my eyes.

Gender Tip

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

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.)

cigarro

/see-GAH-rroh//siˈɣa.ro/

nounA1informal
Use 'cigarro' as an informal way to ask for or refer to a single cigarette.
A simple illustration of a single, unlit white cigarette with a brown filter tip, set against a plain background.

Examples

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

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

Ella fue afuera a fumar un cigarro durante el descanso.

She went outside to smoke a cigarette during the break.

Masculine Noun

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

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'.

Confusing cigarette with fumes

Learners often confuse 'humo' (smoke from fire) with 'cigarro' (cigarette). Remember that 'humo' describes the gas itself, while 'cigarro' specifically refers to a rolled tobacco cigarette.

Related Translations

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