καπνός
kapnós/kaˈpnos/masculine
Smoke in Greek is καπνός (kapnós).
The noun καπνός refers to the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material. Related to this, the verb καπνίζω can mean to give off smoke or to inhale and exhale smoke from a burning cigarette.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun καπνός refers to the physical substance of smoke, whereas the verb καπνίζω can mean both 'to emit smoke' and 'to smoke (a cigarette)'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Crete, the word καπνίζω is often replaced with καπνεύω.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The genitive singular form of the noun καπνός is καπνού (of smoke).
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced /kaˈpnos/ (kapnós).
Did you know?
- The word καπνός is a direct ancestor to the English word 'capnology', which is the medical study of detecting carbon dioxide in exhaled breath.
- Ancient Greek traditions included the 'smoke of incense' as a primary medium for communication with the gods, making καπνός a sacred element in religious rituals.
- The noun καπνός shares a linguistic ancestor with the word for 'soot' in several other Indo-European languages, though the meanings diverged over time.
Examples in context
- Δεν υπάρχει καπνός χωρίς φωτιά.Where there is smoke, there is fire.Tatoeba #2844856 by glavkos, translation #25902 by CK
- δεν υπάρχει καπνός χωρίς φωτιάThere is no smoke without fire
- Γιατί ο καπνός είναι σκούρο γκρι;Why is the smoke dark grey?Tatoeba #12129897 by carlosalberto, translation #12129857 by carlosalberto
- Μην καπνίζεις μέσα στο σπίτι.Don't smoke inside the house.
- Έχεις φωτιά. Θέλω να καπνίσω.Do you have a light? I want to smoke.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Dimitris and Eleni are in the kitchen when something burns.
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΕλένη, βλέπεις τον καπνό στην κουζίνα;Eléni, vlépis ton kapnó stin kouzína?Eleni, do you see the smoke in the kitchen?
- Ελένη EleniΝαι, Δημήτρη, κάτι καιγόταν στο φούρνο!Nai, Dimítri, káti kaigótan sto foúrno!Yes, Dimitris, something was burning in the oven!
- Δημήτρης DimitrisΆνοιξε τα παράθυρα για να φύγει ο καπνός.Ánoixe ta paráthyra gia na fýgei o kapnós.Open the windows so the smoke goes away.
- Ελένη EleniΤα άνοιξα ήδη, μην ανησυχείς.Ta ánoixa ídi, min anisychéis.I already opened them, don't worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoke” translations and entries καπνός, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries καπνός, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
