How to Say "To Smoke" in Japanese

タバコを吸う

tabako o suu[ta̠ba̠ko̞ o̞ sɨː]

To smoke is said in Japanese as タバコを吸う (tabako o suu).

The phrase is used to describe the act of inhaling and exhaling the smoke of tobacco cigarettes.

What does it mean word for word?

The verb 吸う (suu) literally means 'to inhale' or 'to suck', which explains why it is used to describe the process of smoking.

To express that someone is currently in the middle of the continuous action of smoking, use the ~ている form: タバコを吸っています.

tabako o suu

In Japan, the act of smoking is often associated with the phrase タバコ休憩 (tabako kyūkei), meaning 'tobacco break'. These are socially accepted short pauses in the workday where coworkers bond and network regardless of their official rank.
The word タバコ (tabako) is actually a loanword from the Portuguese word 'tabaco', which entered the Japanese language via early European traders.
The kanji used in the formal word for smoking, 喫, is also used in the word for 'eating' or 'consuming' meals, such as in the term 喫茶店 (kissaten), which refers to a cafe.

私はタバコを吸うために立ち止まった。
I stopped to smoke.
This sentence shows how to use タバコを吸う to express a purpose for an action.
Tatoeba #159553 by bunbuku, translation #254970 by CK
今日は友達と一緒にタバコを吸いに行こう。
Let's go smoke cigarettes with friends today.
最近タバコを吸うのをやめたの？
Have you quit smoking cigarettes recently?
こちらは禁煙エリアで、喫煙するのは外でお願いします。
This is a non-smoking area, please smoke outside.
新しい法律では公共の場でのタバコの喫煙は違法となります。
According to the new law, smoking cigarettes in public spaces is illegal.
彼は外でタバコを吸う。
Kare wa soto de tabako o suu.
He smokes outside.

A couple is talking about their habits at a cafe.

美咲 Misaki

大翔くんは、毎日タバコを吸うの？
Hiroto-kun wa, mainichi tabako o suu no?
Hiroto, do you smoke every day?
大翔 Hiroto

うん、少しだけ吸うよ。
Un, sukoshi dake suu yo.
Yeah, I smoke just a little.
美咲 Misaki

体に良くないよ。
Karada ni yokunai yo.
It's not good for your health.
大翔 Hiroto

分かってるよ、美咲。
Wakatteru yo, Misaki.
I know, Misaki.

Sources

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