01
der Nichtraucher
non-smoker
A person who does not smoke, or does not smoke habitually.
example
Als überzeugter Nichtraucher stört ihn der Zigarettenqualm sehr.
As a committed non-smoker, cigarette smoke bothers him a lot.
der Nichtraucher
non-smoker
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Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word formation
The word is made up of the negation prefix 'Nicht-' (non-) and the noun 'Raucher' (smoker). So it literally means a person who is not a smoker.
EXAMPLE
Mein Vater ist seit zwanzig Jahren Nichtraucher.
My father has been a non-smoker for twenty years.
Context clue
The context tells you whether a person or an area is meant. If you are talking about a person and their habits, meaning 1 is meant. If it is about places such as trains, restaurants, or hotel rooms, meaning 2 is meant.
EXAMPLE
Als Nichtraucher fühle ich mich hier unwohl.
As a non-smoker, I feel uncomfortable here.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'Bereich' (area), 'Nichtraucher' (non-smoking) is often the first part of a compound noun. Examples are 'das Nichtraucherabteil' (non-smoking compartment), 'das Nichtraucherzimmer' (non-smoking room), or 'der Nichtraucherbereich' (non-smoking area).
EXAMPLE
Für unsere Reise buchten wir ein Nichtraucherzimmer im Hotel.
For our trip, we booked a non-smoking room at the hotel.
Compare with
Nichtraucher vs Raucher
smoker
'Raucher' and 'Nichtraucher' are clear opposites. A 'Raucher' is a person who smokes regularly; a 'Nichtraucher' does not smoke, or does not smoke habitually. The words can also refer to areas: in the past, for example, there was a 'Raucher' (smoking compartment) and a 'Nichtraucher' (non-smoking section) on trains. Learners may confuse them because they look almost the same. Pay special attention to 'Nicht-': it reverses the meaning.
Nichtraucher
Simon ist Nichtraucher und wünscht sich ein Hotelzimmer ohne Rauchgeruch.
Simon is a non-smoker and wants a hotel room that does not smell of smoke.
Raucher
Vor dem Büro stehen einige Raucher, weil sie drinnen nicht rauchen dürfen.
Some smokers are standing outside the office because they are not allowed to smoke inside.
In real life
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