How to say "tobacco" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- nounThe ordinary word for tobacco, covering the substance itself as well as cigarettes and cigars. Use it when talking about smoking, buying cigarettes, or tobacco in general.
- 忘れ草わすれぐさnounLiterally 'forgetting grass', this is a less common name for tobacco. It is seldom the word you want for any sense of 'tobacco'; タバコ is the word to use instead.
For tobacco in any everyday sense — the substance, cigarettes, or cigars — use 「タバコ」; 「忘れ草」 is only a less common alternative name for tobacco and is rarely the word you want.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
