fumée de cigarette
Cigarette smoke in French is fumée de cigarette.
This phrase describes the gas and particles produced when a cigarette is burned.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is built from fumée (smoke) and de cigarette (of cigarette).
Which one should you use?
While fumée de cigarette refers specifically to smoke from a cigarette, the word fumée on its own can refer to any kind of smoke, such as smoke from a fire or a chimney.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun fumée is feminine. If you use an adjective to describe the smoke, such as 'thick', you must use the feminine form épaisse.
Did you know?
- The word cigarette originates from the Spanish cigarro, which comes from cigarra, the Spanish word for 'cicada'.
- French has a specific word fumeur for a smoker, but the act of smoking fumer can also be used to describe a steaming engine or a boiling pot.
- In French, the word for 'smoke' fumée is actually the feminine past participle of the verb fumer, which means 'to smoke'.
Examples in context
- Tu empestes la fumée de cigarette.You reek of cigarette smoke.This sentence is useful for describing someone who smells of fumée de cigarette.Tatoeba #10960527 by lbdx, translation #10536844 by CK
- La fumée de cigarette m'incommode beaucoup.Cigarette smoke bothers me a lot.This sentence is useful for expressing that fumée de cigarette is bothersome.Tatoeba #3640568 by sacredceltic, translation #3636204 by CK
- La fumée de cigarette agaçait les autres passagers.The cigarette smoke annoyed the other passengers.This sentence is useful for describing how fumée de cigarette annoyed passengers.Tatoeba #12329881 by lbdx, translation #462650 by lukaszpp
- Je ne supporte pas la fumée de cigarette dans les lieux publics.I can't stand cigarette smoke in public places.
- Il y avait une forte odeur de tabac dans la salle.There was a strong smell of cigarette smoke in the room.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Gabriel and Manon are sitting at a terrace cafe.
- GabrielIl y a trop de fumée de cigarette ici.There is too much cigarette smoke here.
- ManonC'est vrai, Gabriel, ça me fait mal aux yeux.It is true, Gabriel, it makes my eyes hurt.
- GabrielOn devrait se déplacer plus loin.We should move further away.
- ManonBonne idée, allons vers le parc.Good idea, let's go towards the park.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cigarette, de, fumée, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
