دخان
duḵān/du.xaːn/Egyptian Arabic, masculine
The Arabic word for smoke is دخان (duḵān). If unsure, use دخان. Wiktionary also lists دُخَان (duḵān).
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Ways to say it
| Arabic | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| دخان | duḵān | /du.xaːn/ /dux.xaːn/ |
Egyptian Arabic, masculine |
| دُخَان | duḵān | masculine |
دخان names the smoke given off by fire. The act of smoking tobacco is تَدْخين, and a cloud of smoke is سَحابة دُخَان. سورة الدخان is the name of the 44th sura of the Quran.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
دخان is masculine. The related verb دَخَنَ means to give off smoke.
How do you pronounce it?
It is /du.xaːn/, two syllables, with a rough sound like the ch in Scottish loch and a long a at the end.
Did you know?
- The word دخان shares an unexpected linguistic connection with the Persian word for 'family' or 'household' through the concept of a 'smoke-room' or hearth.
- The word دخان is used in the Quran to describe a divine sign involving atmospheric distress, rather than just a simple fire.
Examples in context
- دخان يتصاعد من المداخن.Smoke rises from the chimneys.دخان يتصاعد means smoke rises.Tatoeba #11621454 by elmassoudi, translation #10281865 by sundown
- لا نار بدون دخان.There is no fire without smoke.بدون دخان means without smoke.Tatoeba #1337842 by enteka, translation #25901 by Swift
- لا دخان بدون نار.There is no smoke without fire.This reverses the saying, with لا دخان بدون نار meaning there is no smoke without fire.Tatoeba #1337844 by enteka, translation #23884 by AlanF_US
- مكتبة الكترونية عن الأضرار المحتملة للدخان.Electronic library on the potential dangers of smoking.
- تعليمات تحظر التدخين في هذا المكان.Instructions prohibit smoking in this area.
- احنا كنا بنشربها كل يوم في الجامعة.We used to smoke it every day at the university.
Example conversation
Mariam and Ziad are in the kitchen.
- مريم Maryamيا زياد، في دخان كتير في المطبخ!Ya Ziad, fi dukhan kteer fil matbakh!Ziad, there is a lot of smoke in the kitchen!
- زياد Ziadأنا أسف، الأكل اتحرق.Ana asif, el akly etharaq.I'm sorry, the food burnt.
- مريم Maryamافتح الشباك بسرعة عشان الدخان يخرج.Iftah el shebbak borsa'a ashan el dukhan yokhrog.Open the window quickly so the smoke goes out.
- زياد Ziadحاضر، هفتح الشباك دلوقتي.Hader, haftah el shebbak delwaqti.Okay, I will open the window now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoke” translations and entries دخان, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries دخان, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
