bou1 jin1煲煙煲烟
Jyutpingbou1 jin1
Yalebōu yīn
Definition
To smoke tobacco products.
colloquialdaily actionshealth
How it's used
Refers exclusively to smoking cigarettes or tobacco products, carrying a slightly informal or rough tone compared to the neutral 食煙. It is often used to describe the act of smoking as a habitual or time-consuming activity, similar to how one might spend time cooking in a pot. You will frequently hear this used among friends or colleagues when suggesting a break to go outside for a smoke.
Examples
Why are you smoking here again?
He goes to smoke right after finishing his meal.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal settings or professional interviews, as it sounds very casual and potentially dismissive of the health implications. It is strictly a verb for the act of smoking and cannot be used to describe the cigarette itself.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
