dampfen
/ˈdam(p)fən/
To vape in German is dampfen. Wiktionary also lists vapen.
Meaning: to inhale the vapor produced by a non-combustible cigarette (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| dampfen | /ˈdam(p)fən/ |
| vapen |
The phrase refers to the act of inhaling the vapor produced by a non-combustible cigarette.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb dampfen is derived from the word Dampf (steam/vapor) and literally means to steam or to vaporize.
Which one should you use?
dampfen is the more established German verb, whereas vapen is an anglicism used as a direct loanword from English.
How does it change in a sentence?
The past participle of dampfen is gedampft.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈdam(p)fən/
Did you know?
- The noun Dampf is used in the idiomatic expression Dampf machen, which means to pressure someone to hurry up.
- In a culinary context, if you are told your food is gedämpft, it refers to a healthy cooking method involving steam rather than electronic cigarettes.
- The word dampfen is a cognate of the English word 'damp', though in German it refers to the gaseous state of water rather than moisture on a surface.
Examples in context
- Es ist höflich, draußen zu dampfen.It is polite to vape outside.
- Das elektronische Rauchen hat in den letzten Jahren an Popularität gewonnen.Electronic smoking has gained popularity in recent years.
- Lass uns ein bisschen vapen gehen!Let's go vape a bit!
- Ist es hier erlaubt, drinnen zu dampfen?Is it allowed to vape inside here?
- Könnten Sie bitte draußen vapen?Could you please vape outside?
- Er hat vor kurzem mit dem Dämpfen begonnen.He recently started vaping.
- Hast du schon einmal einen Vaperstammtisch besucht?Have you ever attended a vaper meetup?
- Er möchte draußen dampfen.He wants to vape outside.
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are standing outside a cafe.
- SarahWillst du auch etwas dampfen, Lukas?Do you want to vape something too, Lukas?
- LukasNein danke, ich mag das nicht.No thanks, I don't like it.
- SarahIch finde es besser als echte Zigaretten.I think it's better than real cigarettes.
- LukasDas mag sein, aber ich lasse es.That may be, but I'll pass.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vape” translations and entries dampfen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
