chōuyān: 抽烟 - To Smoke (a cigarette, etc.)

• Keywords: chouyan, 抽烟, smoking in China, how to say smoke in Chinese, Chinese for smoking, cigarette in Chinese, Chinese smoking culture, 吸烟, xīyān, quit smoking in Chinese, Chinese verbs
• Summary: “抽烟” (chōuyān) is the most common Chinese term for the act of smoking a cigarette. This comprehensive guide covers its meaning, character breakdown, and practical usage. Learn not just the translation, but the deep cultural significance of smoking as a social ritual in China, how it's used to build relationships (关系), and how it differs from its more formal counterpart, 吸烟 (xīyān). Perfect for beginners wanting to understand real-world Chinese.

• Pinyin (with tone marks): chōu yān
• Part of Speech: Verb-Object phrase (functions as a verb)
• HSK Level: HSK 3
• Concise Definition: To smoke a cigarette, cigar, or pipe.
• In a Nutshell: “抽烟” (chōuyān) is the everyday, conversational way to say “to smoke.” It's a direct, action-oriented term you'll hear constantly in daily life, from a friend asking if you want a cigarette to “No Smoking” signs in a restaurant. It literally means “to draw out smoke.”

• 抽 (chōu): This character means “to draw out,” “to pull,” or “to pump.” Think of the action of drawing air and smoke from the cigarette into your mouth. The radical on the left, 扌, is the “hand” radical, indicating an action done with the hand.
• 烟 (yān): This character means “smoke,” “tobacco,” or “cigarette.” The radical on the left, 火 (huǒ), means “fire,” which is essential for creating smoke.

Together, 抽 (chōu) + 烟 (yān) form a very logical and descriptive phrase: “to draw out smoke,” which perfectly captures the physical act of smoking.

In many Western countries, smoking is increasingly seen as a private habit or a health issue. In China, while health concerns are growing, smoking remains a deeply ingrained social ritual, especially among men.

• Social Lubricant: Offering a cigarette is a common and important way to break the ice, show respect, or establish a friendly connection. When meeting someone for the first time, a man might offer a cigarette by saying, “抽根烟吗？” (Chōu gēn yān ma? - “Want a smoke?”). Refusing can be done politely, but accepting is a gesture of goodwill and helps build 关系 (guānxi), or social rapport. It's comparable to offering to buy someone a drink in Western culture.
• A Gesture of Respect: It is customary to offer a cigarette to someone of a higher status (a boss, an elder, a client) before lighting one's own. When offering, one typically holds the pack open with two hands. When receiving, one also uses two hands or gently taps the offered pack as a sign of thanks.
• Gift Giving: High-quality cartons of cigarettes are a common gift, especially during holidays like the Spring Festival or when visiting someone's home. They function as a status symbol and a gesture of generosity.

This social dimension is the key difference from the West. While an American might ask “Do you smoke?” to see if it's okay to light up, a Chinese person offering a cigarette is often making an active gesture of friendship and inclusion.

• Informal, Everyday Use: This is the default term for smoking in conversation. You use it when talking about your habits, asking others, or commenting on someone smoking.
  • “Don't smoke here.” → 这里不要抽烟。
  • “Do you smoke?” → 你抽烟吗？
• “No Smoking” Signs: While the more formal 禁止吸烟 (jìnzhǐ xīyān) is common, you will also frequently see the more colloquial 请勿抽烟 (qǐng wù chōuyān - Please don't smoke) or 禁止抽烟 (jìnzhǐ chōuyān - Smoking prohibited).
• Connotation: The term itself is neutral; it simply describes the action. The connotation (positive, negative, or neutral) comes entirely from the context.
  • Negative: 医生说他应该少抽烟。(The doctor said he should smoke less.)
  • Neutral/Social: 他一边抽烟，一边跟我聊天。(He chatted with me while smoking.)

• Example 1:
  • 对不起，这里不可以抽烟。
  • Pinyin: Duìbuqǐ, zhèlǐ bù kěyǐ chōuyān.
  • English: Sorry, you can't smoke here.
  • Analysis: A common and polite phrase you'd hear from staff in a public place like a restaurant or subway station.
• Example 2:
  • 他一天要抽一包烟。
  • Pinyin: Tā yī tiān yào chōu yī bāo yān.
  • English: He smokes one pack of cigarettes a day.
  • Analysis: This shows how “抽烟” can be split. “抽 (chōu)” is the verb, and “烟 (yān)” is the object. Here, the quantity “一包 (yī bāo)” is inserted in the middle.
• Example 3:
  • 我爸爸在我很小的时候就戒烟了，他现在不抽烟。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ bàba zài wǒ hěn xiǎo de shíhou jiù jièyān le, tā xiànzài bù chōuyān.
  • English: My dad quit smoking when I was very young, he doesn't smoke now.
  • Analysis: This example uses “不抽烟” (bù chōuyān) to state that someone is a non-smoker. It also introduces the related term 戒烟 (jièyān), to quit smoking.
• Example 4:
  • A: 抽烟吗？ B: 谢谢，我不会。
  • Pinyin: A: Chōuyān ma? B: Xièxie, wǒ bù huì.
  • English: A: Have a smoke? B: Thanks, I don't know how (I don't smoke).
  • Analysis: A very typical social exchange. “我不会 (wǒ bù huì)” is a common and polite way to decline, literally meaning “I can't” or “I don't know how,” which is softer than a blunt “I don't.”
• Example 5:
  • 在室外抽烟比在室内好一点。
  • Pinyin: Zài shìwài chōuyān bǐ zài shìnèi hǎo yīdiǎn.
  • English: Smoking outdoors is a little better than smoking indoors.
  • Analysis: A simple comparative sentence using “比 (bǐ)”.
• Example 6:
  • 很多人觉得男人抽烟的样子很酷。
  • Pinyin: Hěn duō rén juéde nánrén chōuyān de yàngzi hěn kù.
  • English: Many people think the way men look when they smoke is very cool.
  • Analysis: This sentence reflects a cultural perception and uses “的样子 (de yàngzi)” to mean “the appearance of” or “the way (someone) looks when…”
• Example 7:
  • 为了孩子的健康，请不要在家里抽烟。
  • Pinyin: Wèile háizi de jiànkāng, qǐng bùyào zài jiālǐ chōuyān.
  • English: For the sake of the children's health, please don't smoke at home.
  • Analysis: This shows a common reason given when asking someone not to smoke. “为了 (wèile)” means “for the sake of.”
• Example 8:
  • 他拿出了一根烟，问我想不想抽烟。
  • Pinyin: Tā ná chūle yī gēn yān, wèn wǒ xiǎng bùxiǎng chōuyān.
  • English: He took out a cigarette and asked if I wanted to smoke.
  • Analysis: This demonstrates “抽烟” used in a reported speech context. “想不想 (xiǎng bùxiǎng)” is a common A-not-A question form.
• Example 9:
  • 我受不了抽烟的味道。
  • Pinyin: Wǒ shòu bu liǎo chōuyān de wèidào.
  • English: I can't stand the smell of smoking.
  • Analysis: “受不了 (shòu bu liǎo)” is a useful phrase meaning “can't bear” or “can't stand.” “味道 (wèidào)” means smell or flavor.
• Example 10:
  • 虽然我知道抽烟对身体不好，但是压力大的时候还是想抽。
  • Pinyin: Suīrán wǒ zhīdào chōuyān duì shēntǐ bù hǎo, dànshì yālì dà de shíhou háishì xiǎng chōu.
  • English: Although I know smoking is bad for your health, I still want to smoke when I'm stressed.
  • Analysis: A complex sentence using the “虽然…但是… (suīrán…dànshì…)” structure, meaning “although…but…”. It reflects a common sentiment among smokers.

• 抽烟 (chōuyān) vs. 吸烟 (xīyān): This is the most critical distinction for a learner.
  • 抽烟 (chōuyān): Colloquial, everyday, used in speech. It's what you say to your friends. “Let's go outside to smoke.” → 我们去外面抽烟吧。(Wǒmen qù wàimiàn chōuyān ba.)
  • 吸烟 (xīyān): Formal, written, official. It literally means “to inhale smoke.” You see it on warning labels, in public health campaigns, and in formal documents. “Smoking is harmful to your health.” → 吸烟有害健康。(Xīyān yǒuhài jiànkāng.)
  • Mistake: Using “吸烟” in a casual conversation like “你要吸烟吗？” (Nǐ yào xīyān ma?) would sound overly formal and unnatural, like using “Would you care to partake in tobacco inhalation?” instead of “Want a smoke?”.
• It's a Separable Verb: “抽烟” is a verb-object phrase, not a single monolithic verb. The verb is “抽” (to draw) and the object is “烟” (smoke/cigarette). This means you can—and often must—insert words between them.
  • Correct: 他抽了一支烟。(Tā chōu le yī zhī yān.) - He smoked a cigarette. (The aspect particle “了” and the measure word phrase “一支” go in the middle).
  • Incorrect: 他抽烟了一支。(Tā chōuyān le yī zhī.) - This is grammatically wrong.

• 吸烟 (xīyān) - The more formal, written term for “to smoke.”
• 戒烟 (jièyān) - To quit smoking (literally “to give up smoke”).
• 香烟 (xiāngyān) - Cigarette (literally “fragrant smoke”). A more specific noun.
• 二手烟 (èrshǒuyān) - Second-hand smoke (literally “second-hand smoke”).
• 烟民 (yānmín) - A smoker; a regular smoker (literally “smoke citizen”).
• 打火机 (dǎhuǒjī) - Lighter (literally “strike fire machine”).
• 递烟 (dìyān) - To pass or offer a cigarette. A key social action.
• 禁止抽烟 (jìnzhǐ chōuyān) - No Smoking. A common sign.
• 烟头 (yāntóu) - Cigarette butt.
• 关系 (guānxi) - The crucial concept of social networks and connections, which actions like offering cigarettes help to build.