Meanings of 嗅
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About 嗅
Podcast: 嗅
Podcast: 嗅
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AI Study Notes for 嗅
嗅 (smell) vs 闻 (hear) — use 嗅 specifically for detecting scents, while 闻 refers to the act of hearing sounds.
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.
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.
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.
Pronunciation of 嗅
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Etymology of 嗅
To taste 口 an odor 臭; 臭 also provides the pronunciation
Jason Etymology Detective
Case file: 嗅
- 1The giveawayTo taste 口 an odor 臭; 臭 also provides the pronunciation
- 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.
Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.
Want the full history of 嗅? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.
Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.Character Formation Type
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Decomposition of 嗅
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How to say to smell in Chinese
“to smell” in Chinese is嗅
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.
When to use 嗅
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.
嗅 or something close to it
嗅 (smell) vs 闻 (hear) — use 嗅 specifically for detecting scents, while 闻 refers to the act of hearing sounds.
What learners get wrong
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.
Write 嗅
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Practice writing 嗅 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
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.
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)
Word Family of 嗅
Compound Meaning
What does 嗅 mean?
Frequently Asked Questions about 嗅
The correct pronunciation is 'xiù', with a falling tone.
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