défense de fumer
In French, "no smoking" can be expressed as défense de fumer, ne pas fumer or fumer interdit.
Meaning: phrase used in notices indicating that the smoking of cigarettes is not permitted (phrase)
Ways to say it
| French |
|---|
| défense de fumer |
| ne pas fumer |
| fumer interdit |
These phrases are used in notices and signs to indicate that smoking cigarettes is not permitted. You may also see Interdiction de fumer or Zone non-fumeur on signs to denote a smoking ban or a non-smoking area.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase défense de fumer literally translates to "prohibition of smoking" or "defense against smoking".
Which one should you use?
Défense de fumer is the standard, formal way to phrase a prohibition on signs and official notices. Ne pas fumer is more commonly used as a direct instruction or a sign indicating a specific action is prohibited.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form ne pas fumer uses the infinitive of the verb to express a general prohibition.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Ne pas fumer à l'intérieur.No smoking indoors.This sentence is useful for expressing that smoking is not allowed indoors using ne pas fumer.Tatoeba #8537643 by Aiji, translation #7708268 by AlanF_US
- Malgré l'écriteau « Défense de fumer », l'homme qui dirigeait le bateau fumait tout le temps sans se gêner.Despite "No Smoking" signs, the boat operator was brazenly smoking all the time.This sentence shows the use of défense de fumer on a sign.Tatoeba #180865 by Aiji, translation #328884 by fcbond
- Ne pas fumer dans le restaurant.No smoking in the restaurant.This sentence is useful for stating that smoking is prohibited in a restaurant using ne pas fumer.Tatoeba #10074239 by carlosalberto, translation #10074228 by carlosalberto
- Ah, d'accord. Pardon, je l'éteins tout de suite.Ah, okay. Sorry, I'll put it out right away.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan and Emma are standing in front of a cafe entrance.
- NathanRegarde ce panneau : défense de fumer.Look at this sign: no smoking.
- EmmaAh, j'avais oublié la règle ici.Ah, I had forgotten the rule here.
- NathanOn ne peut pas fumer sur la terrasse.We cannot smoke on the terrace.
- EmmaD'accord, on va ailleurs, Nathan.Okay, let's go somewhere else, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “no smoking” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries de, défense, fumer, interdit, ne, pas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
