der Qualm
smoke
Thick, often acrid or foul-smelling smoke that results from incomplete combustion.
EXAMPLE
Der dichte Qualm aus dem Kamin zog durch das ganze Zimmer.
The thick smoke from the fireplace drifted through the whole room.
der Qualm
smoke
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Meanings
der Qualm
smoke
Colloquial term for the smoke from cigarettes, cigars, or pipes.
EXAMPLE
In der alten Kneipe stand der Qualm so dicht in der Luft, dass man kaum atmen konnte.
In the old pub, the smoke hung so thick in the air that you could hardly breathe.
Usage tips
Uncountable noun
'Qualm' (smoke) is almost always used as an uncountable noun in the singular. You do not say 'vielen Qualmen', but rather 'viel Qualm' (a lot of smoke). If you want to express a quantity, you often use compounds like 'Qualmwolke' (cloud of smoke).
EXAMPLE
Dichte Qualmwolken stiegen vom Fabrikschornstein auf.
Thick clouds of smoke rose from the factory chimney.
Typical adjectives
'Qualm' (smoke) is often combined with adjectives that describe its unpleasant qualities. Common examples are 'dichter Qualm' (thick smoke), 'schwarzer Qualm' (black smoke), or 'beißender Qualm' (acrid smoke).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des beißenden Qualms mussten die Anwohner ihre Fenster schließen.
Because of the acrid smoke, the residents had to close their windows.
Register: colloquial
When 'Qualm' (smoke) is used for the smoke from cigarettes or cigars, this is usually colloquial. In this context, the word often has a slightly negative note and describes an unpleasantly smoky atmosphere.
EXAMPLE
Können wir das Fenster aufmachen? Der ganze Qualm stört mich.
Can we open the window? All this smoke is bothering me.
Compare with
Qualm vs Rauch
smoke
Rauch is the neutral, general term for the visible mixture produced by combustion. Qualm usually refers to thick, acrid, or foul-smelling smoke and sounds more colloquial. Rauch is suitable for a factual description; use Qualm when you want to emphasize the unpleasant effect.
Qualm
Aus dem Kamin dringt dichter Qualm und reizt unsere Augen.
Thick smoke is coming from the chimney and irritating our eyes.
Rauch
Aus dem Kamin steigt dünner Rauch in den Abendhimmel.
Thin smoke is rising from the chimney into the evening sky.
In real life
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