Inklingo

How to Say "smoking" in Spanish

English → Spanish

fumando

foo-MAHN-doh/fuˈman.do/

GerundA1General
Use 'fumando' when you are describing the action of smoking as it is happening right now, similar to the '-ing' form in English.
A simple colorful illustration showing a person exhaling a puff of smoke from a cigarette.

Examples

Ella está fumando un cigarrillo en la terraza.

She is smoking a cigarette on the terrace.

Lo vi entrar a la oficina fumando un puro grande.

I saw him enter the office smoking a large cigar.

¿Están fumando aquí? Hay mucho humo.

Are you guys smoking here? There's a lot of smoke.

Forming the Continuous Action

You use 'fumando' with a form of the verb 'estar' (to be) to show that the action is happening right now: 'Estoy fumando' (I am smoking).

Using it as an Adverb

The '-ando' form can describe how someone does something, often replacing a phrase like 'while doing X': 'Caminó fumando' (He walked while smoking).

Mixing up the English and Spanish Continuous forms

Mistake: “Using 'ser' instead of 'estar' for the continuous action (e.g., 'Soy fumando').”

Correction: Always use 'estar' when talking about an action that is currently in progress: 'Estoy fumando'.

fumador

/foo-mah-DOR//fumaˈðoɾ/

AdjectiveB1General
Use 'fumador' to describe something that is related to the habit or condition of smoking, often referring to a person or a symptom.
A stylish wooden stand holding several smoking pipes.

Examples

Tiene una tos fumadora muy fuerte.

He has a very strong smoker's cough.

Prefiero estar en la zona no fumadora.

I prefer to be in the non-smoking area.

El público fumador está disminuyendo en este país.

The smoking public is decreasing in this country.

Adjective Placement

When using 'fumador' as an adjective, it usually comes after the noun it describes, like 'público fumador' (smoking public).

Confusing with 'Fumante'

Mistake: “Saying 'persona fumante'.”

Correction: Use 'persona fumadora'. In Spanish, 'fumador' is the standard adjective, whereas 'fumante' is rarely used or sounds like Portuguese.

Gerund vs. Adjective Confusion

The most common mistake is using the adjective 'fumador' when you mean the ongoing action of smoking. Remember, 'fumando' is for the present action (like 'is smoking'), while 'fumador' describes a characteristic or condition related to smoking.

Related Translations

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