How to Say "Chewing Tobacco" in Spanish

tabaco de mascar

/tabako de maskaɾ/from spelling rules

The English phrase "chewing tobacco" is translated into Spanish as tabaco de mascar.

This term refers to tobacco that is placed between the cheek and the gum.

Meaning: tobacco placed between cheek and gum (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of tabaco (tobacco), de (of/for) and mascar (to chew).

The phrase uses the infinitive verb mascar to function as a gerund-like modifier, indicating the purpose of the tobacco.

Depending on the historical theory, tabaco may have come from the Arabic word ṭubbāq, referring to a specific plant called 'Dittrichia viscosa'.
In certain rural areas of Latin America, the wad of tabaco de mascar kept in the cheek is colloquially called el bolo.
Because using tabaco de mascar involves producing excess saliva, the verb escupir meaning 'to spit' is closely associated with the practice.

¿Podrías pasarme el tabaco de mascar, por favor?
Could you please pass me the chewing tobacco?
El tabaco de mascar es popular entre ciertos grupos en el país.
Chewing tobacco is popular among certain groups in the country.
Recuerda desechar el tabaco de mascar de manera responsable.
Remember to dispose of chewing tobacco responsibly.
No me gusta el olor del tabaco de mascar.
I don't like the smell of chewing tobacco.
Él siempre tiene tabaco de mascar en el bolsillo.
He always has chewing tobacco in his pocket.
El tabaco de mascar puede dañar tus encías.
Chewing tobacco can damage your gums.

Javier and Elena are talking in a park.

Sources

IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, mascar, tabaco, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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