Ways to say it
| Czech | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| kouř | [ˈkou̯r̝̊] (narrow) | masculine |
| dým | [ˈdiːm] (narrow) | masculine |
Both kouř and dým refer to the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material. When you want to describe the action of a substance emitting smoke or smoldering, you use the verb dýmat. The verb kouřit is the general term for "to smoke" and is specifically used when referring to the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke from a cigarette.
Which one should you use?
kouř is the standard, everyday term for smoke, whereas dým is more frequently used in formal, literary, poetic or descriptive contexts. Regarding verbs, kouřit refers to the act of smoking a cigarette, while dýmat describes a substance emitting smoke or smoldering.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In the Czech idiom Není kouře bez ohně (There is no smoke without fire), the word kouř appears in its genitive singular form, kouře.
Did you know?
- The verb dýmat is used metaphorically to describe someone who is so angry they are 'steaming' with rage.
- The word dým shares a common ancestor with the English word 'dust' via the Proto-Indo-European root *dʰewh₂-.
Examples in context
- Není kouře bez ohně.There's no smoke without fire.This sentence demonstrates the use of the genitive form kouře in a common idiom.Tatoeba #1139077 by tommy390, translation #995879 by NickC
- V mládí jsem kouřil.I did smoke when I was young.This sentence uses the verb form of kouř to describe a past habit of smoking.Tatoeba #12001396 by aldar, translation #258425 by CK
- Kouř stoupá z komína.Smoke is rising from the chimney.This sentence shows the standard way to describe the movement of kouř.Tatoeba #8087561 by aldar, translation #25880 by CK
- Kouření je zakázáno.Smoking is prohibited.
- Jsem ten největší kouřák v naší partě.I am the biggest smoker in our group.
- 41 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kateřina and Jan are in the kitchen together.
- KateřinaJene, cítíš ten kouř?Jan, do you smell that smoke?
- JanAno, něco se pálí v troubě!Yes, something is burning in the oven!
- KateřinaRychle otevři okno, je tu moc kouře.Quickly open the window, there is too much smoke here.
- JanUž to dělám, Kateřino.I'm doing it already, Kateřina.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoke” translations and entries kouř, dým, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dým, kouř, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
