Korean word

담배

Pronunciation

Romanizationtambae

Meaning

  • nouncigarette

Example

밖에서는 담배를 피우지 마세요.pa kke seo neun tam bae reul pi u ji ma se yo

Please don't smoke cigarettes outside.

Illustration for 담배 (cigarette)

More examples

건강을 위해 담배를 끊기로 결심했다.keon gang eul wi hae tam bae reul kkeun ki ro kyeol sim haet tta

I decided to quit smoking for my health.

Core concept

A wrapped bundle of dried tobacco that is lit and smoked, with the word also connected to tobacco itself.

Common phrases

  • 담배를 끊다tam bae reul kkeun ta

    quit smoking

  • 담배냄새tam bae naem sae

    cigarette smell

  • 담배꽁초를 버리다tam bae kkong cho reul peo ri da

    throw away a cigarette butt

Similar words

궐련kwollyeon: A paper-wrapped cigarette made in a factory from chopped tobacco leaves.
전자담배cheonjadambae: A handheld tobacco product that uses a battery to heat liquid into inhaled vapor.
흡연heubyeon: The act of breathing in smoke from tobacco.
금연keumyeon: A stated ban on smoking or the choice to give up smoking.

Definition in Korean

담배는 보통 건조한 담뱃잎을 싸서 태워 그 연기를 흡입하는 제품이나 그 행위를 가리키는 말.tam bae neun po tong keon jo han tam bae si peul ssa seo tae wo keu yeon gi reul heu bi pa neun che pu mi na keu haeng wi reul ka ri ki neun mal

Word origin

The word comes from a borrowed form related to Portuguese tabaco, the source of the familiar tobacco name in several languages.

Usage tips

  • English tobacco often names the plant or raw material, so cigarette is the clearer choice for one ready-to-smoke item.

Other meanings

  • tobacconoun

Related words

Word lists with this word