흡연
heubyeon[xɯbjʌ̹n]
In Korean, the English phrase "smoking" is translated as 흡연 (heubyeon). Wiktionary also lists 끽연 (kkigyeon).
Meaning: smoking of tobacco (noun)
Ways to say it
| Korean | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 흡연 | heubyeon | [xɯbjʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
| 끽연 | kkigyeon | [k͈iɡjʌ̹n] (SK Standard, Seoul, narrow) |
The term refers to the act of smoking tobacco.
Which one should you use?
흡연 is the standard and most common term for smoking. In contrast, 끽연 is a more formal or archaic term that is often found in specific legal or technical contexts or in older literature.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
흡연 is used in formal contexts. For informal settings, you can use the phrase 담배 피우다 to convey the act of smoking. 끽연 is also considered a formal or literary way to say smoking.
How do you pronounce it?
heubyeon
Did you know?
- The component character in 끽연 that means 'to eat' or 'to sip' is often used for things one puts in the mouth. This implies that the act of smoking is linguistically treated as 'consuming' the smoke.
- The verb 피우다 used in 담배 피우다 is also used when 'starting a fire' or 'lighting a campfire'.
- The word 흡연 is built from the character 吸, which is also used in the word for 'inhale' or 'absorb'. This creates a very clinical, physiological feeling compared to the more common, descriptive 담배 피우다.
Examples in context
- 흡연은 자살이다.Smoking is suicide.This sentence is useful for illustrating the negative consequences of smoking using 흡연.Tatoeba #6304900 by Queserasera, translation #3765512 by csabus
- 흡연은 사람을 죽인다.Smoking kills.Tatoeba #6304910 by Queserasera, translation #688852 by Skvodo
- 흡연은 자살을 의미한다.Smoking means suicide.Tatoeba #6304882 by Queserasera, translation #19938 by B_C
- 응, 조금 피워.Yeah, I smoke a little.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hyun-woo and Ji-eun are walking toward a building entrance.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo여기 흡연 구역이 어디예요?yeogi hup-yeon gu-yeogi eo-di-ye-yo?Where is the smoking area here?
- 지은 Ji-eun건물 뒤편으로 가셔야 해요.geon-mul dwi-pyeon-eu-ro ga-syeo-ya hae-yo.You have to go to the back of the building.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo아, 여기는 건물 내 흡연 금지군요.a, yeo-gi-neun geon-mul nae hup-yeon geum-ji-gun-yo.Ah, smoking is prohibited inside the building here.
- 지은 Ji-eun네, 표지판을 확인해 보세요.ne, pyo-ji-pan-eul hwa-gin-hae bo-se-yo.Yes, please check the sign.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “smoking” translations and entries 흡연, 끽연, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 끽연, 흡연, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
