עשן
ashán
The Hebrew word for smoke is עשן (ashán).
The noun עשן refers to the visible particles and vapour given off by burning material. It can also be used as a verb meaning to inhale and exhale tobacco smoke regularly or habitually.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Which one should you use?
The verb meaning to inhale and exhale smoke from a burning cigarette specifically is עישן \ עִשֵּׁן, whereas the verb for smoking a tobacco product habitually is עשן.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
ashán
Did you know?
- In biblical Hebrew, the presence of עשן often symbolizes the divine presence or a sign of sacrifice ascending to heaven.
- The root of the word is so ancient that it has remained virtually unchanged in its core meaning across almost all Semitic languages for thousands of years.
- The Hebrew word for 'smokescreen' uses עשן in the phrase מסך עשן, which functions both literally in military contexts and figuratively to describe a deception.
Examples in context
- אין עשן בלי אש.There is no smoke without fire.This sentence illustrates the proverb 'There is no smoke without fire' using עשן.Tatoeba #557946 by Eldad, translation #23884 by AlanF_US
- החדר היה אפוף עשן.The room was full of smoke.This sentence shows how to describe a room being full of smoke using עשן.Tatoeba #618367 by Eldad, translation #319566 by Eldad
- אפף אותו עשן, והוא נחנק.Smoke enveloped him, and he suffocated.This sentence demonstrates the use of עשן in describing smoke enveloping someone.Tatoeba #2601897 by MrShoval, translation #2857348 by AlanF_US
- אתה יכול לומר לאנשים שאתה לא מעשןYou can tell people that you don't smoke
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Agur and Itay are outside a building where something is burning.
- עגור Adiאתה מריח עשן?ata meriach ashan?Do you smell smoke?
- איתי Itayכן, אני רואה עשן שחור.ken, ani ro'e ashan shachor.Yes, I see black smoke.
- עגור Adiמאיפה מגיע העשן?me'eifo magia ha'ashan?Where is the smoke coming from?
- איתי Itayזה נראה כמו עשן מהמטבח.ze nir'ah kmo ashan mehamitbach.It looks like smoke from the kitchen.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry עשן, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
