禁煙

• Reading: きんえん
• Romaji: kin'en
• Kanji breakdown: 禁 (kin) — prohibit, ban; 煙 (en) — smoke
• Pronunciation: /kiɴ.eɴ/

Meaning

No smoking; smoking ban. Also, quitting smoking as a personal effort.

A noun that also functions as a suru verb (禁煙する). Has two main uses: as a sign/rule (禁煙 = No Smoking, 禁煙席 = non-smoking seat, 禁煙エリア = no-smoking area) and as a personal action (禁煙する = to quit smoking). Japan has increasingly adopted indoor smoking bans, making this word very visible in public spaces.

Examples

1. このレストランは全席禁煙です。 This restaurant is entirely non-smoking.
2. 健康のために禁煙を始めた。 I started quitting smoking for my health.
3. 禁煙してからもう三年になる。 It's been three years since I quit smoking.

Usage Guide

Context: public spaces, health, restaurants

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 禁 (kin, prohibit/ban) and 煙 (en, smoke). Together, 'prohibiting smoke' — a straightforward descriptor of anti-smoking rules and efforts.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal