담배
dambae[ˈta̠(ː)mbɛ]
The Korean word for cigarette is 담배 (dambae). Wiktionary also lists 궐련 (gwollyeon) and 연초 (yeoncho).
Meaning: thin roll of tobacco made for smoking (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 담배 | dambae | [ˈta̠(ː)mbɛ] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) [ˈta̠(ː)mbe̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 궐련 | gwollyeon | [kwʌ̹ʎʎʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 연초 | yeoncho | [jʌ̹ɲt͡ɕʰo̞] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
담배 is the standard, everyday word used to refer to a cigarette. While it can also refer to tobacco in general, it is the most common way to talk about the product itself. When you want to say "to smoke a cigarette," you use the verb 피우다 with 담배, forming the phrase 담배를 피우다.
Which one should you use?
담배 is the common, everyday term. 궐련 is a technical or formal term for a cigarette, typically found in legal, medical or official documentation.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
궐련 is used in formal or technical registers, such as in official reports or medical contexts. In an informal setting, you might hear the phrase 담배 한 대 used to refer to a single cigarette.
How do you pronounce it?
dambae
Did you know?
- The word 담배 is not native to Korea and entered the language via Japan, which had borrowed the term from the Portuguese 'tabaco'.
- The verb used for smoking, 피우다, is the same word used for 'lighting a fire' or 'blooming a flower'.
- In Korean culture, it is customary for a junior to offer a light or a cigarette to a senior as a sign of respect and social lubrication.
Examples in context
- 톰은 담배를 피웠다.Tom smoked a cigarette.This sentence shows how to use 담배 to describe the act of smoking.Tatoeba #13250510 by qiwiwi, translation #8583004 by CK
- 담배 냄새가 너무 심해요.dambae naemsaega neomu simhaeyo.The cigarette smell is too strong.
- 그는 주머니에서 담배를 꺼냈다.geuneun jumeoni-eseo dambae-reul kkeonaetda.He took a cigarette out of his pocket.
Example conversation
Hyunwoo and Subin are walking outside a cafe.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo수빈 씨, 담배 피우세요?Subin ssi, dambae piuseyo?Subin, do you smoke cigarettes?
- 수빈 Su-bin아니요, 저는 담배 안 피워요.aniyo, jeoneun dambae an piwoyo.No, I don't smoke.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo다행이네요. 저는 끊으려고 해요.dahaengineyo. jeoneun kkeunuryeogo haeyo.That's a relief. I'm trying to quit.
- 수빈 Su-bin응원할게요, 현우 씨!eungwonhalgeyo, Hyunwoo ssi!I'll root for you, Hyunwoo!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cigarette” translations and entries 담배, 궐련, 연초, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 궐련, 담배, 연초, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
