Rauchen
/ˈʁaʊ̯xən/
The German word for smoking is Rauchen.
Rauchen refers to the act of smoking tobacco.
Meaning: smoking of tobacco (noun)
Which one should you use?
In German, the capitalized Rauchen is the noun referring to the activity, while the lowercase rauchen is the verb used to describe the action.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Rauchen is formed from the infinitive verb rauchen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʁaʊ̯xən/
Did you know?
- In German, the phrase rauchen can be used figuratively to describe a brain working very hard, similar to saying one's head is 'smoking'.
- The modern use of rauchen for inhaling tobacco is actually a linguistic imitation, or 'calque', of the French verb fumer.
- While rauchen means to smoke tobacco, the related verb räuchern is specifically used for 'smoking' food, such as 'smoked' ham or fish.
Examples in context
- Hör auf zu rauchen.Stop smoking.This sentence shows how to use Rauchen in a command to stop the action.Tatoeba #594784 by samueldora, translation #40632 by CK
- Tom ist immer am Rauchen.Tom is always smoking.This sentence uses Rauchen to describe a continuous state or habit.Tatoeba #8830932 by wolfgangth, translation #5588694 by CK
- Rauchen schadet dir sehr.Smoking will do you a lot of harm.This sentence illustrates how to express that Rauchen is harmful.Tatoeba #12466665 by mayabe, translation #19948 by CK
- Das Rauchen ist in öffentlichen Gebäuden nicht gestattetSmoking is not allowed in public buildings
- Der Tabakkonsum kann zu schwerwiegenden gesundheitlichen Problemen führenTobacco consumption can lead to serious health problems
- Das Zigarettenrauchen wird mancherorts immer mehr eingeschränktCigarette smoking is increasingly restricted in some places
- Lass uns eine Zigarette paffenLet's smoke a cigarette
- Ich gehe mal schnell rauchen. Kommst du mit?I'll quickly go smoke. Do you want to come along?
- Gemma blunzen?Shall we smoke?
- Bei unserer Veranstaltung ist das Rauchen strengstens untersagt.Smoking is strictly prohibited at our event.
- 516 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are sitting in a cafe.
- JuliaIst Rauchen hier erlaubt?Is smoking allowed here?
- LukasNein, das ist verboten.No, that is forbidden.
- JuliaDann gehen wir nach draußen.Then let's go outside.
- LukasGute Idee, Julia.Good idea, Julia.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Rauchen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Pronunciation from the Wiktionary entry rauchen.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rauchen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
