When you want to say "to quit smoking" in Japanese, you use the verb 禁煙する (kinnen suru).
The kanji 禁 (kin) means "prohibition" or "to forbid," and 煙 (en) means "smoke." So, literally, it means "to forbid smoke."
The する (suru) part makes it a verb, just like in other common Japanese verbs such as 勉強する (benkyou suru) meaning "to study."
You can use this verb when talking about someone stopping smoking, or if a place prohibits smoking.
§ Understanding 禁煙する
When you're learning Japanese, especially at the B1 level, it's common to encounter verbs that combine a noun with する (suru) to create a verb. 禁煙する (kin-en suru) is a perfect example of this. 禁煙 (kin-en) itself means 'no smoking' or 'prohibition of smoking' as a noun. Adding する makes it 'to do no smoking' or, more naturally, 'to quit smoking'.
§ Mistake 1: Using other verbs instead of する
A common error is to try and replace する with another verb like やめる (yameru - to stop/quit) when talking about quitting smoking. While やめる can be used for quitting habits in general, with 禁煙, you almost always use する.
彼はタバコを禁煙することにした。
He decided to quit smoking.
You would rarely hear 「彼はタバコを禁煙をやめることにした」. This sounds redundant and incorrect because 禁煙 already implies 'quitting smoking'.
§ Mistake 2: Confusing 禁煙 with 喫煙 (kitsuen)
These two words look somewhat similar and both relate to smoking, but their meanings are opposite. 喫煙 (kitsuen) means 'smoking' (the act of smoking) or 'a smoking area'.
- DEFINITION
- 喫煙 (kitsuen): Smoking.
It's crucial not to mix them up. If you say 「ここで喫煙したいです」 (Koko de kitsuen shitai desu), you're asking to smoke, not to quit smoking.
喫煙所はどこですか？
Where is the smoking area?
§ Mistake 3: Overusing the particle を (o)
When you use 禁煙する, the noun 禁煙 is already part of the verb phrase. You don't usually need to mark 禁煙 with を. For example, you wouldn't say 「禁煙を禁煙する」. However, if you specify what you are quitting smoking, like 'cigarettes', then を is used with that object.
医者は彼にタバコを禁煙するように言った。
The doctor told him to quit smoking cigarettes.
In this case, タバコ (tabako - cigarette) is the direct object of the action, so it takes を.
§ Mistake 4: Incorrect formality or politeness
Like any Japanese verb, 禁煙する can be conjugated to different politeness levels. Make sure you're using the appropriate form for the context.
- Plain form: 禁煙する (kin-en suru) - for casual conversation or self-talk.
- Masu form: 禁煙します (kin-en shimasu) - for polite conversation.
- Te form: 禁煙して (kin-en shite) - used in requests or connecting clauses.
来月から禁煙します。
I will quit smoking from next month.
Using the plain form in a formal setting, or vice versa, can make your Japanese sound unnatural.
§ Summary of Key Points
To avoid common mistakes with 禁煙する:
- Always use する with 禁煙 to mean 'to quit smoking'.
- Don't confuse 禁煙 (no smoking/quitting smoking) with 喫煙 (smoking).
- Generally, don't use を with 禁煙 itself, but do use it if you specify the object being quit (e.g., タバコを禁煙する).
- Pay attention to the correct politeness level for your conjugation.
Examples by Level
健康のために禁煙します。
For my health, I will quit smoking.
父は先月から禁煙しています。
My father has been quitting smoking since last month.
医者に禁煙するように言われました。
The doctor told me to quit smoking.
禁煙は難しいですが、頑張ります。
Quitting smoking is difficult, but I'll do my best.
彼女は妊娠を機に禁煙しました。
She quit smoking when she became pregnant.
禁煙すると、ご飯がもっと美味しくなります。
If you quit smoking, food will taste even better.
このレストランは完全に禁煙です。
This restaurant is completely non-smoking (quitting smoking is not an option).
禁煙を始めてから、体調が良いです。
Since I started quitting smoking, my physical condition has been good.
禁煙することは健康への第一歩です。
Quitting smoking is the first step towards health.
彼は禁煙するために、医師の助けを借りました。
He sought a doctor's help to quit smoking.
禁煙する決意は固いものの、なかなか実行できません。
Although my resolve to quit smoking is firm, I can't quite do it.
この禁煙補助グッズは、禁煙する人をサポートします。
This smoking cessation aid supports people who want to quit smoking.
禁煙することで、家族も喜ぶでしょう。
By quitting smoking, your family will also be happy.
禁煙する場所が少なくなってきています。
There are fewer and fewer places where you can't smoke.
友人が禁煙することに成功して、私も励まされました。
My friend succeeded in quitting smoking, and I was encouraged too.
禁煙することは、決して簡単なことではありません。
Quitting smoking is by no means an easy thing.
Tips
Learn the components of 禁煙
禁煙 (きんえん) is made of two kanji: 禁 (きん) meaning prohibition or forbidding, and 煙 (えん) meaning smoke. So, literally, it means 'prohibiting smoke'.
Understand する verb
禁煙する (きんえんする) is a common pattern in Japanese. When you add する to a noun, it often turns it into a verb. In this case, 禁煙 (quitting smoking) becomes 禁煙する (to quit smoking).
Practice with common phrases
A common phrase is 「禁煙したいです」 (きんえんしたいです), meaning 'I want to quit smoking'. Or, 「禁煙中です」 (きんえんちゅうです), meaning 'I am in the process of quitting smoking'.
Notice 'No Smoking' signs
You will often see 「禁煙」 by itself on signs in public places, meaning 'No Smoking'. This is a very common sight in Japan.
Use it in sentences
「私は来月から禁煙するつもりです。」 (わたしはらいげつからきんえんするつもりです。) - 'I intend to quit smoking from next month.'
Connect to related vocabulary
Think of related words like タバコ (tabako) for tobacco/cigarettes, or 喫煙所 (きつえんじょ) for a smoking area. This helps build your vocabulary network.
Don't confuse with 喫煙
喫煙 (きつえん) means 'smoking' (the act of smoking). 禁煙 is its opposite, 'quitting smoking' or 'no smoking'.
Pay attention to context
While 禁煙する specifically means 'to quit smoking', sometimes the context can imply it even if the 'する' is omitted in very casual speech, especially when talking about personal habits, but always use する for clarity.
Understand intransitive vs. transitive
禁煙する is a transitive verb where you are the one doing the quitting. You can also think of 禁煙 as a noun (the act of quitting smoking) and する as 'to do'.
Practice conjugations
Practice conjugating 禁煙する like any other する verb: 禁煙します (polite present), 禁煙しました (polite past), 禁煙しない (negative informal), etc. Regular practice helps retention.
Test Yourself 36 questions
私はたばこを___。
To say 'I quit smoking,' you use 'やめる' (yameru), which means to quit or stop. The full phrase would be 'たばこをやめる'.
医者は私にたばこを___と言いました。
Here, '禁煙する' (kin'en suru) is the most direct and formal way to say 'to quit smoking,' which fits what a doctor would say.
健康のために、私はたばこを___つもりです。
'やめるつもりです' (yameru tsumori desu) means 'I intend to quit.' This is a common way to express future intention.
この場所は___です。
'禁煙' (kin'en) by itself can mean 'no smoking' or 'non-smoking area,' fitting the context of a public place.
彼の新しい年の目標はたばこを___ことです。
'禁煙すること' (kin'en suru koto) means 'the act of quitting smoking,' which is suitable for a New Year's resolution.
あなたはたばこを___ことができますか？
'やめることができますか？' (yameru koto ga dekimasu ka?) means 'Can you quit?' It's a common question about ability.
Choose the correct kanji for 'kin' in 禁煙.
禁 (kin) means 'prohibition' or 'to forbid,' which is part of 'quitting smoking.'
Which of these is the most common way to say 'to smoke' in Japanese?
吸う (suu) means 'to inhale' or 'to breathe in,' which is used for smoking.
If someone tells you, '禁煙してください' (Kinen shite kudasai), what are they asking you to do?
禁煙する (kinen suru) means 'to quit smoking,' and '〜してください' (shite kudasai) is a polite request.
The phrase '禁煙する' (kinen suru) can be used to say 'I am quitting smoking' in Japanese.
禁煙する (kinen suru) is a verb that means 'to quit smoking.' You can use it in sentences like '禁煙します' (kinen shimasu - I will quit smoking).
If you see a sign that says '禁煙' (Kinen), it means you can smoke there.
禁煙 (Kinen) means 'No Smoking.' It prohibits smoking in that area.
The word 煙 (en) in 禁煙 (kinen) refers to 'fire.'
煙 (en) means 'smoke.' The word for 'fire' is 火 (hi).
My father quit smoking.
The doctor told me to quit smoking.
Where is the non-smoking area?
Read this aloud:
禁煙していますか？
Focus: kin'en shiteimasu ka
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
健康のために禁煙します。
Focus: kenkou no tame ni kin'en shimasu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
禁煙は難しいです。
Focus: kin'en wa muzukashii desu
You said:
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Choose the most appropriate word to complete the sentence: 彼は健康のためにタバコを___と決めた。
The sentence indicates someone decided to stop smoking for their health. '禁煙する' (to quit smoking) is the correct verb.
Which of the following phrases is closest in meaning to '禁煙する'?
'禁煙する' literally means to quit smoking. 'タバコをやめる' also means to stop smoking.
Select the correct particle to complete the sentence: 医者は彼に___禁煙するように忠告した。
When advising someone to do something, 'に' is often used to indicate the person being advised. Here, it indicates that the doctor advised 'him' to quit smoking.
禁煙するは、喫煙を始めるという意味です。
禁煙する means to quit smoking, not to start smoking. The opposite would be 喫煙する (to smoke).
健康のために禁煙することは良い選択です。
Quitting smoking for health reasons is generally considered a good decision.
日本の公共の場所では、喫煙が許可されていることがほとんどです。
In many public places in Japan, smoking is either restricted to designated areas or completely prohibited, especially indoors. It's not usually 'mostly permitted'.
You are at a job interview in Japan. The interviewer asks about your habits. Write a short paragraph explaining that you quit smoking for health reasons and how long it has been since you quit. Use "禁煙する" appropriately.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
私は健康のために喫煙を禁煙しました。もう２年前になります。
Your friend is trying to quit smoking. Write a short message of encouragement, including a sentence using "禁煙する" to say that you support their decision.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
禁煙する決意、素晴らしいね！本当に応援しているよ。頑張って！
Describe a public place in Japan where smoking is strictly prohibited. Explain why this rule is important, using "禁煙する" to refer to the act of not smoking.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
日本の多くのレストランやカフェは禁煙です。健康のため、公共の場所で禁煙することは非常に重要だと思います。
この文章から、公園での「禁煙」の主な理由は何ですか？
Read this passage:
公園の入り口に「禁煙」のサインがありました。子供たちが遊んでいる場所なので、安全のためにも禁煙を守るべきです。最近では、多くの公共の場所で禁煙が推奨されています。
この文章から、公園での「禁煙」の主な理由は何ですか？
文章中に「子供たちが遊んでいる場所なので、安全のためにも禁煙を守るべきです」と明確に書かれています。
文章中に「子供たちが遊んでいる場所なので、安全のためにも禁煙を守るべきです」と明確に書かれています。
患者が医者から勧められた行動は何ですか？
Read this passage:
医者は患者に「禁煙してください」と強く勧めました。患者はこれまで何回か試しましたが、成功していませんでした。しかし、今回は真剣に禁煙する決意をしました。
患者が医者から勧められた行動は何ですか？
医者の言葉「禁煙してください」が直接的な指示です。
医者の言葉「禁煙してください」が直接的な指示です。
オフィスビルで禁煙が実施された結果、非喫煙者にとってどうなりましたか？
Read this passage:
最近、オフィスビル全体で禁煙が実施されました。喫煙者にとっては少し不便ですが、非喫煙者にとっては快適な環境になりました。社員の健康を考慮した良い決定だと評価されています。
オフィスビルで禁煙が実施された結果、非喫煙者にとってどうなりましたか？
文章中に「非喫煙者にとっては快適な環境になりました」と書かれています。
文章中に「非喫煙者にとっては快適な環境になりました」と書かれています。
喫煙は健康に害を及ぼすため、早めに禁煙するべきです。
The sentence recommends quitting smoking due to health risks.
医者から禁煙を強く勧められました。
「禁煙を強く勧められました」means the doctor strongly recommended quitting smoking.
禁煙して以来、体調がとても良いです。
「禁煙して以来」indicates a positive change since quitting smoking.
禁煙することは、健康にとって良いことです。
Quitting smoking is generally considered beneficial for health.
禁煙は、喫煙を続けることと同じ意味です。
「禁煙する」means to stop smoking, which is the opposite of continuing to smoke.
公共の場所で禁煙は法的に義務付けられています。
Many public places legally require people to refrain from smoking.
/ 36 correct
Perfect score!
Learn the components of 禁煙
禁煙 (きんえん) is made of two kanji: 禁 (きん) meaning prohibition or forbidding, and 煙 (えん) meaning smoke. So, literally, it means 'prohibiting smoke'.
Understand する verb
禁煙する (きんえんする) is a common pattern in Japanese. When you add する to a noun, it often turns it into a verb. In this case, 禁煙 (quitting smoking) becomes 禁煙する (to quit smoking).
Practice with common phrases
A common phrase is 「禁煙したいです」 (きんえんしたいです), meaning 'I want to quit smoking'. Or, 「禁煙中です」 (きんえんちゅうです), meaning 'I am in the process of quitting smoking'.
Notice 'No Smoking' signs
You will often see 「禁煙」 by itself on signs in public places, meaning 'No Smoking'. This is a very common sight in Japan.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More health words
しばらく
B1For a while, for some time.
異変がある
B1To have an unusual change or abnormality.
異常な
B1Abnormal; unusual; irregular.
擦り傷
B1Scratch, graze, abrasion.
吸収する
B1To absorb.
禁酒
B1Abstinence from alcohol; the act of refraining from alcohol.
痛む
A2to hurt; to ache
鍼灸
B1Acupuncture and moxibustion; traditional Chinese medicine treatments.
急性的
B1Acute.
急性な
B1Acute
