¿tienes un cigarrillo?
The English phrase "do you have a cigarette?" is translated into Spanish as ¿tienes un cigarrillo?
This phrase is used to ask someone if they possess a cigarette that you can use or buy.
Which one should you use?
The informal version is ¿tienes un cigarrillo?, while the formal version is ¿Tiene usted un cigarrillo? or ¿Podría prestarme un cigarrillo, por favor? (which means "Could you lend me a cigarette, please?").
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, a common casual way to ask for a cigarette is ¿Tienes un cigarro, chavo? Another informal way to ask is Oye, ¿tendrías fuego o un cigarro?, which translates to "Hey, would you have a lighter or a cigarette?"
How does it change in a sentence?
To ask the question more politely or to a stranger, change tienes to tiene to use the formal 'usted' form, as in ¿Tiene un cigarrillo?
Did you know?
- The word cigarrillo shares a linguistic root with cigarra, which is the Spanish word for a cicada.
- The word cigarrillo is a diminutive of cigarro, using the suffix -illo to indicate a smaller version of the original object.
- When asking for a light, Spanish speakers use the word fuego, which translates to 'fire' rather than the specific tool like a 'lighter'.
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are waiting at a bus stop.
- LucíaMateo, ¿tienes un cigarrillo?Mateo, do you have a cigarette?
- MateoSí, tengo uno aquí.Yes, I have one here.
- LucíaGracias, me salvaste.Thanks, you saved me.
- MateoDe nada, Lucía.You're welcome, Lucía.
