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March 24, 2026
抽烟(抽煙)chōuyān(chou1yan1)
抽烟 refers to the act of smoking cigarettes or tobacco. It is commonly used in both casual conversations and formal discussions about health and lifestyle choices. The term carries a negative connotation in many contexts due to health concerns associated with smoking.
Strokes18Frequency#2645DifficultyMedium
Cultural Note
In Chinese culture, smoking is prevalent, particularly among men, and is often associated with social gatherings. However, there is a growing awareness of the health risks, leading to increased anti-smoking campaigns and public spaces being designated as smoke-free.
Memory Tip
Think of 抽 as 'pulling' or 'drawing' and 烟 as 'smoke'. Imagine pulling on a cigarette and drawing in the smoke. The pronunciation 'chou' sounds like 'chew', but instead, you're pulling in smoke, which can help you remember the act of smoking.
Meanings of 抽烟
chōuyān(chou1yan1)
1to smoke (a cigarette, tobacco)
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About 抽烟
抽烟Simplified
抽煙Traditional
18Strokes
—Radical
动词dòngcíverb (v.)Part of Speech
#2645Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L4HSK 3.0L4IntermediateTOCFLL4HSKKL2CEFRB1
Podcast: 抽烟
Podcast: 抽烟
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AI Study Notes for 抽烟
Quick Contrast
吸烟 (xīyān) — use 抽烟 when emphasizing the action of smoking a cigarette, while 吸烟 is more general and can refer to inhaling smoke from any source.
Usage Notes
Be mindful of the context when using 抽烟, as it can be seen as informal. Common mistakes include confusing it with 吸烟 (xīyān), which is more formal. Note that you might hear phrases like '我抽烟' (I smoke) in casual settings.
HSK Study Tips
As a level 4 word, 抽烟 connects with other verbs related to actions or habits. Focus on using it in sentences about health or lifestyle, which will help reinforce your vocabulary related to personal choices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 抽烟 with 吸烟, leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. For example, saying '我吸烟' in an informal setting can sound overly stiff; instead, '我抽烟' is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 抽烟
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How to say to smoke (a cigarette, tobacco) in Chinese
“to smoke (a cigarette, tobacco)” in Chinese is抽烟chōuyān
抽烟 refers to the act of smoking cigarettes or tobacco. It is commonly used in both casual conversations and formal discussions about health and lifestyle choices. The term carries a negative connotation in many contexts due to health concerns associated with smoking.
When to use 抽烟
Be mindful of the context when using 抽烟, as it can be seen as informal. Common mistakes include confusing it with 吸烟 (xīyān), which is more formal. Note that you might hear phrases like '我抽烟' (I smoke) in casual settings.
抽烟 or something close to it
吸烟 (xīyān) — use 抽烟 when emphasizing the action of smoking a cigarette, while 吸烟 is more general and can refer to inhaling smoke from any source.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 抽烟 with 吸烟, leading to incorrect usage in formal contexts. For example, saying '我吸烟' in an informal setting can sound overly stiff; instead, '我抽烟' is more appropriate.
Write 抽烟
抽
烟
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Grammar Patterns of 抽烟
抽烟 functions as a verb — the action or state of the sentence. The Chinese order is Subject + Verb + Object (我吃饭). Negate it with 不 (habitual / future) or 没(有) (completed action). Add aspect markers like 了, 过, 着 directly after the verb. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
