연기
yeon'gi[ˈjɘ(ː)nɡi]
The Korean word for smoke is 연기 (yeon'gi).
연기 is a general term for smoke that can refer to smoke from fire, exhaust or vapor. While 연기 is the noun, you may need related verbs to describe actions. To describe the act of emitting smoke, you can use 뿜다. If you are referring specifically to the act of smoking a cigarette, you can use 담배를 피우다 or the more formal 흡연하다.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
Which one should you use?
The noun 연기 refers to the visible particles and vapor produced by burning, whereas the verb 피우다 is used for the act of smoking a cigarette.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
When describing the act of smoking, the verb form 피워요 is used for 'I smoke' in formal speech, whereas the form 피워 is used for 'I smoke' in informal speech.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
In Korean, the verb 마시다 (to drink) is commonly used to express the act of inhaling smoke, rather than just breathing it. For example, 연기를 마시다 means 'to inhale smoke'.
How do you pronounce it?
yeon'gi
Did you know?
- The word 연기 can mean 'acting' or 'performance' if written with different Hanja, such as 演技. This means a script about 'smoke' might actually be a script about 'acting' depending on the context.
- Depending on the characters used, 연기 can also mean 'to postpone' or 'to prolong' a period of time. In a business setting, it is much more likely to refer to a delay than to actual smoke.
Examples in context
- 연기가 눈에 들어가서 맵다.It hurts because there is smoke in my eyes.This sentence shows how to describe the sensation of smoke in your eyes using 연기.
- 자욱한 연기가 마을을 뒤덮었다.A thick smoke has shrouded the town.This sentence illustrates a thick cloud of smoke covering a town using 연기.
- 연기를 맡다/마시다To inhale smokeThis phrase shows how to express the act of inhaling smoke using 연기.
- 담배를 피우다To smoke a cigarette
- 연기가 실내로 들어왔어요The smoke came into the room
- 지난 주말에 친구들과 함께 피웠어I smoked with friends last weekend
Example conversation
Two people are outside a cafe during a sudden fire in the kitchen.
- 서연 Seo-yeon저 건물에서 연기가 나고 있어요!jeo geonmul-eseo yeongi-ga na-go isseo-yo!Smoke is coming out of that building!
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말이네요. 빨리 119에 신고해야겠어요.jeongmal-i-ne-yo. ppalli sib-il-gu-e sin-go-hae-ya-get-seo-yo.You're right. I should call 119 quickly.
- 서연 Seo-yeon현우 씨, 연기가 너무 심해요.Hyeon-u ssi, yeongi-ga neomu sim-hae-yo.Hyeon-u, there is too much smoke.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo서연 씨, 일단 코를 막고 피하세요.Seo-yeon ssi, ildan ko-reul mak-go pi-ha-se-yo.Seo-yeon, please cover your nose and get away first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoke” translations and entries 연기, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 연기, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
