jièyān: 戒烟 - Quit Smoking, Stop Smoking

• Keywords: jièyān, 戒烟, quit smoking Chinese, stop smoking in Chinese, give up smoking, smoking in China, Chinese health, 戒菸, HSK 4 vocabulary, how to say quit smoking in Chinese
• Summary: Learn how to say “quit smoking” in Chinese with the term 戒烟 (jièyān). This guide breaks down the characters 戒 (to abstain) and 烟 (smoke), explores the cultural significance of smoking in China, and provides numerous practical example sentences. Understand the difference between quitting an old habit (戒烟) and simply not smoking (不抽烟) to speak like a native.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): jièyān
• Part of Speech: Verb Phrase (Verb-Object)
• HSK Level: HSK 4
• Concise Definition: To quit the habit of smoking; to stop smoking.
• In a Nutshell: 戒烟 (jièyān) is the standard and direct term for the act of quitting smoking. It's composed of two straightforward characters: `戒 (jiè)`, meaning to abstain from or give up a habit, and `烟 (yān)`, meaning smoke or tobacco. The term implies a conscious decision to stop a pre-existing habit, often for health or personal reasons. It is a very common word in conversations about health, New Year's resolutions, and public service announcements.

• 戒 (jiè): This character means to abstain from, to guard against, or to give up a vice. Think of it as a form of self-discipline or a warning to oneself. It's the same character used in words like `戒酒 (jièjiǔ)` (quit alcohol) and `戒指 (jièzhi)` (finger ring, which historically could serve as a reminder or “warning”).
• 烟 (yān): This character means smoke, tobacco, or cigarette. The radical on the left is `火 (huǒ)`, which means “fire,” directly connecting it to the act of burning something to create smoke.

When combined, 戒烟 (jièyān) literally and logically translates to “abstain from smoke,” perfectly capturing the meaning of “quit smoking.”

For decades in China, smoking was deeply intertwined with social and business culture, particularly among men. Offering a cigarette was a common gesture of goodwill, respect, and a way to build `关系 (guānxi)` or social connections. A refusal could sometimes be seen as impolite. This makes the act of 戒烟 (jièyān) more than just a personal health choice; it can be a social one as well. Someone who is trying to quit might need to navigate social gatherings or business meetings where they are offered cigarettes, requiring them to politely decline without causing offense. In contrast to the West where smoking is now heavily stigmatized in most professional and social settings, the social pressure to smoke can still exist in some traditional or business contexts in China. However, this is changing rapidly. The Chinese government has launched massive public health campaigns promoting 戒烟, and “No Smoking” signs (`禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān)`) are now ubiquitous in cities. As a result, 戒烟 is an increasingly common and respected goal, reflecting a nationwide shift towards a healthier lifestyle.

戒烟 (jièyān) is a neutral term used in virtually all contexts, from casual conversation to formal medical advice.

• Personal Decisions: It's most commonly used when someone states their own intention or discusses another's efforts to quit.
  • e.g., “My New Year's resolution is to quit smoking.” (我新年的决心是戒烟。)
• Giving Advice/Expressing Concern: Family members, friends, and doctors often use this term to urge someone to stop smoking.
  • e.g., “The doctor told him he must quit smoking immediately.” (医生让他马上戒烟。)
• Public Health Campaigns: The term is central to anti-smoking posters, advertisements, and government notices.

The term itself doesn't carry a strong positive or negative connotation; it simply describes the action. The context determines the feeling (e.g., hopeful when starting, difficult when struggling, proud when successful).

• Example 1:
  • 我决定从今天开始戒烟。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ juédìng cóng jīntiān kāishǐ jièyān.
  • English: I've decided to quit smoking starting today.
  • Analysis: A clear, common statement of intent. `从…开始 (cóng…kāishǐ)` means “starting from…”
• Example 2:
  • 戒烟对身体有很多好处。
  • Pinyin: Jièyān duì shēntǐ yǒu hěnduō hǎochù.
  • English: Quitting smoking has many benefits for your health.
  • Analysis: Here, 戒烟 functions as the subject of the sentence. The structure `对…有好处 (duì…yǒu hǎochù)` means “is good for…”
• Example 3:
  • 他试了好几次戒烟，但都没有成功。
  • Pinyin: Tā shìle hǎo jǐ cì jièyān, dàn dōu méiyǒu chénggōng.
  • English: He tried to quit smoking several times, but never succeeded.
  • Analysis: This sentence highlights the difficulty of the process. `试 (shì)` means “to try.”
• Example 4:
  • 你爸爸戒烟成功了吗？
  • Pinyin: Nǐ bàba jièyān chénggōng le ma?
  • English: Did your dad succeed in quitting smoking?
  • Analysis: A common question showing concern. `成功 (chénggōng)` means “to succeed.”
• Example 5:
  • 为了家人的健康，你应该戒烟。
  • Pinyin: Wèile jiārén de jiànkāng, nǐ yīnggāi jièyān.
  • English: For the health of your family, you should quit smoking.
  • Analysis: This provides a common reason for quitting—the effect of second-hand smoke on family. `为了 (wèile)` means “for the sake of.”
• Example 6:
  • 我已经戒烟五年了。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ yǐjīng jièyān wǔ nián le.
  • English: I have been smoke-free for five years. (Literally: I have already quit smoking for five years.)
  • Analysis: This pattern is used to state the duration since quitting. The `了 (le)` at the end indicates a continued state.
• Example 7:
  • 戒烟最难的是头几个星期。
  • Pinyin: Jièyān zuì nán de shì tóu jǐ gè xīngqī.
  • English: The hardest part of quitting smoking is the first few weeks.
  • Analysis: `最难的 (zuì nán de)` means “the most difficult part.”
• Example 8:
  • 很多app可以帮助你戒烟。
  • Pinyin: Hěnduō app kěyǐ bāngzhù nǐ jièyān.
  • English: Many apps can help you quit smoking.
  • Analysis: A modern context showing how technology is used to help with this goal.
• Example 9:
  • 他终于把烟戒掉了。
  • Pinyin: Tā zhōngyú bǎ yān jiè diào le.
  • English: He finally managed to quit smoking for good.
  • Analysis: This uses the `把 (bǎ)` structure. The resultative complement `掉 (diào)` adds a sense of finality and successful removal of the habit. This is a very native-sounding way to express it.
• Example 10:
  • 自从他开始戒烟，他的咳嗽好多了。
  • Pinyin: Zìcóng tā kāishǐ jièyān, tā de késou hǎo duō le.
  • English: Ever since he started quitting smoking, his cough has gotten much better.
  • Analysis: `自从 (zìcóng)` means “ever since,” connecting the action of quitting to a positive result.

The most common mistake for learners is confusing 戒烟 (jièyān) with 不抽烟 (bù chōuyān).

• 戒烟 (jièyān): To QUIT smoking. This implies you used to be a smoker and are in the process of stopping or have already stopped the habit.
  • Correct: 我在戒烟。 (Wǒ zài jièyān.) - “I am in the process of quitting smoking.”
  • Correct: 我戒烟了。 (Wǒ jièyān le.) - “I have quit smoking.”
• 不抽烟 (bù chōuyān): To not smoke. This is a statement of general fact. It can mean you have never smoked, or it can be used to refuse a cigarette in the moment.
  • Correct: 谢谢，我不抽烟。 (Xièxiè, wǒ bù chōuyān.) - “Thanks, I don't smoke.”
• Common Mistake: Someone offers you a cigarette. You want to say you're quitting.
  • Incorrect: 谢谢，我戒烟。 (This sounds a bit abrupt, like a blunt declaration rather than a polite refusal.)
  • Better: 谢谢，我不抽烟了，正在戒烟。 (Xièxiè, wǒ bù chōuyān le, zhèngzài jièyān.) - “Thanks, I don't smoke anymore, I'm quitting.”
  • Simplest/Most Common: 谢谢，我不抽烟。 (This works perfectly whether you never smoked or have quit.)

Another point of confusion is 戒烟 vs. 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān).

• 戒烟 (jièyān) is a personal action/verb. (e.g., “He is quitting.”)
• 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān) is an official rule/command, meaning “No Smoking.” You see this on signs, but a person doesn't “do” it.

• 抽烟 (chōuyān) - To smoke (a cigarette). The direct action that one stops when they 戒烟.
• 吸烟 (xīyān) - To smoke; to inhale smoke. A slightly more formal synonym for `抽烟`.
• 香烟 (xiāngyān) - Cigarette. The specific object usually being quit.
• 烟瘾 (yānyǐn) - Smoking addiction; a craving for tobacco. The primary challenge to overcome when trying to 戒烟.
• 二手烟 (èrshǒuyān) - Second-hand smoke. A major public health concern and a motivator for people to 戒烟.
• 戒酒 (jièjiǔ) - To quit drinking alcohol. A parallel concept using the same `戒 (jiè)` character, showing its use for giving up habits.
• 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān) - No Smoking. The official regulation seen on public signs.
• 健康 (jiànkāng) - Health. The most common reason for 戒烟.
• 决心 (juéxīn) - Determination; resolution. A quality needed to successfully 戒烟.