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March 24, 2026
嗅xiù(xiu4)
The character 嗅 (xiù) refers to the action of smelling or sniffing. It is commonly used in contexts related to detecting scents or odors, whether in food, perfumes, or other substances. In a broader sense, it can also imply a figurative sense of sensing something, such as a situation or atmosphere.
Strokes13Radical口Frequency#8662DifficultyHard
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sense of smell is considered important for diagnosing health conditions. Certain aromas are believed to influence physical and emotional states, highlighting the significance of 嗅 in cultural practices.
Memory Tip
Imagine a dog (嗅) with a big nose sniffing around for a delicious scent. The dog’s actions help you remember that 嗅 means to smell, as it visually represents the act of sniffing out something interesting.
Meanings of 嗅
xiù(xiu4)
1to smell
2to sniff
Exercise 1 of 2
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About 嗅
嗅Simplified
13Strokes
口Radical
名词míngcínoun (n.)Part of Speech
#8662Frequency Rank
HSK 3.0L7
Podcast: 嗅
Podcast: 嗅
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AI Study Notes for 嗅
Quick Contrast
嗅 (smell) vs 闻 (hear) — use 嗅 specifically for detecting scents, while 闻 refers to the act of hearing sounds.
Memory Mnemonic
Imagine a dog (嗅) with a big nose sniffing around for a delicious scent. The dog’s actions help you remember that 嗅 means to smell, as it visually represents the act of sniffing out something interesting.
Usage Notes
When using 嗅, it is often paired with nouns that indicate what is being smelled, such as 食物 (shíwù, food) or 香水 (xiāngshuǐ, perfume). Common mistakes include confusing 嗅 with the character 聞 (wén), which can mean to hear or to smell, depending on context.
HSK Study Tips
Although 嗅 is not part of the official HSK vocabulary, it shares components with other words related to sensory experiences, like 聞 (to hear/smell). Students should focus on recognizing the character's structure and its application in sensory contexts.
Cultural Note
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sense of smell is considered important for diagnosing health conditions. Certain aromas are believed to influence physical and emotional states, highlighting the significance of 嗅 in cultural practices.
Common Mistakes
Learners often confuse 嗅 with the character 闻 (wén), which can lead to incorrect usage. For example, saying '我闻花' (wǒ wén huā) instead of '我嗅花' (wǒ xiù huā) for 'I smell the flowers' is incorrect; the latter is more appropriate.
AI-enhanced 2026-03-24
Pronunciation of 嗅
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Grammar Patterns of 嗅
嗅 functions as a noun — it names a person, place, thing, or concept. Place it as a subject before the verb (主+谓) or as an object after the verb (谓+宾). Most Chinese nouns require a measure word between the number and the noun (e.g. 一个/三本). It carries 4 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The example sentences below show it in action, with practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) on every line.
Exercise 1 of 4
Complete the Sentence
几只狗轻轻地____着我的脚。
The dogs were snuffing gently at my feet.
Example Sentences for 嗅 (6)
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1
几只狗轻轻地嗅着我的脚。
jī zhī gǒu qīng qīng dì xiù zháo wǒ de jiǎo。
The dogs were snuffing gently at my feet.
2
猫嗅着玩具老鼠.
māo xiù zháo wán jù lǎo shǔ.
The cat nosed at the toy mouse.
3
人的嗅觉提供的信息远不如视觉.
rén de xiù jué tí gōng de xìn xī yuǎn bù rú shì jué.
Man's sense of smell is much less informative than his sight.
4
那狗嗅闻狐狸经过的地方.
nà gǒu xiù wén hú lí jīng guò de dì fāng.
The dog snuffed at the track of the fox.
5
鸟有敏锐的视力,而狗有灵敏的嗅觉.
niǎo yǒu mǐn ruì de shì lì, , ér gǒu yǒu líng mǐn de xiù.
Birds have sharp eyes and dogs have sharp noses.
6
狗会靠其嗅觉而找到贼.
gǒu huì kào qí xiù jué ér zhǎo dào zéi.
The dog will smell out a thief.
Cultural Notes for 嗅
🏮Cultural insight
In traditional Chinese medicine, the sense of smell is considered important for diagnosing health conditions. Certain aromas are believed to influence physical and emotional states, highlighting the significance of 嗅 in cultural practices.
Word Family of 嗅
Words Containing This Character3
嗅xiùto smell
嗅觉xiùjuésense of smell嗅覺
嗅球olfactory bulb (anatomy)
Exercise 1 of 3
Compound Meaning
What does 嗅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嗅
The correct pronunciation is 'xiù', with a falling tone.
Yes, 嗅 can imply sensing a situation or mood, not just physical smells.
Common phrases include 嗅到 (to smell) and 嗅觉 (sense of smell).
