สูบบุหรี่
sùup-bù-rìi/suːp̚˨˩.bu˨˩.riː˨˩/
In Thai, the English verb 'to smoke' is expressed as สูบบุหรี่ (sùup-bù-rìi).
The phrase สูบบุหรี่ is used specifically to describe the action of smoking cigarettes. It can refer to the act of inhaling and exhaling smoke from a burning cigarette, or the habit of being a regular smoker.
Meaning: visible particles and vapour given off by burning material (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb สูบ, which means to pump or to inhale and the noun บุหรี่, which means cigarette.
Which one should you use?
It is important to distinguish between the verb and the noun. Use สูบบุหรี่ when you want to say the action of smoking cigarettes. If you are referring to the noun for visible particles or vapour given off by burning material (such as smoke from a fire or an engine), use the word ควัน instead.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced sùup-bù-rìi. It consists of 3 syllables: /suːp̚˨˩.bu˨˩.riː˨˩/.
Did you know?
- The word สูบ can also be used colloquially to describe someone who is 'draining' or 'sucking' resources from another person, similar to 'bleeding someone dry'.
- In historical Thai contexts, the act of smoking was often associated with the use of an opium pipe, which also used the verb สูบ.
- Thai has a distinct word for smoke, ควัน, which is also used in the phrase ควันหลง to describe the lingering after-effects or 'smoke' of a past event.
Examples in context
- สูบบุหรี่ได้ไหมCan I smoke?This sentence is useful for asking permission to smoke using สูบบุหรี่.
- คุณสูบบุหรี่ไหม?Do you smoke?
Example conversation
Kanokwan and Theerapat are walking outside a restaurant.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanธีรภัทร สูบบุหรี่อยู่เหรอTheeraphat sup bu-ri yu roTheeraphat, are you smoking?
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatใช่ครับ ขอโทษทีchai krap kho thot thiYes, I am. Sorry about that.
- กนกวรรณ Kanokwanควันสูบบุหรี่แรงมากเลยkhwan sup bu-ri raeng mak loeiThe cigarette smoke is very strong.
- ธีรภัทร Theeraphatผมจะรีบดับเดี๋ยวนี้ครับphom cha rip dap diao ni krapI will put it out right now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry สูบบุหรี่, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
