1.
cigarette dangling from the mouth; smoking with a cigarette held in the lips
The act or state of holding a lit cigarette in one's mouth while doing something else with the hands. Often evokes a casual, rough, or nonchalant image.
A compound of 咥える (to hold in the mouth) and 煙草 (cigarette/tobacco). Also written as くわえタバコ or くわえたばこ in kana. The image evokes a certain roughness or nonchalance, often associated with old-fashioned masculinity or working-class culture.
Common collocations
- 咥え煙草で歩く: walk with a cigarette in one's mouth
- 咥え煙草のまま: with a cigarette still in one's mouth
- 咥え煙草禁止: no smoking while walking/working (with cigarette in mouth)
Similar words
Cultural note
咥え煙草 carries a strong visual image in Japanese culture, often associated with hard-boiled detectives, laborers, and old film stars. In modern Japan, it is considered bad manners and is prohibited in many workplaces and public areas.
Related Words
Compare:
喫煙 (smoking)