Meanings of 气味
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Podcast: 气味
Podcast: 气味
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AI Study Notes for 气味
气息 (qìxī) — use 气味 for general smells, while 气息 specifically refers to a breath or a more subtle scent.
气味 can describe both good and bad odors, so be careful with context. It is more common in informal settings; in formal writing, you might use a synonym like '香味' (xiāngwèi) for pleasant smells. Watch out for tonal mistakes, as mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion.
As an HSK 6 word, 气味 connects with other sensory vocabulary like '味道' (wèidào, taste) and '香味' (xiāngwèi, fragrance). Students should focus on using it in descriptive sentences to enhance their expressive capabilities.
Learners often confuse 气味 with 味道 (wèidào), which specifically means 'taste.' For example, saying '这个食物的气味很好' (This food's taste is good) is incorrect; it should be '这个食物的味道很好.'
Pronunciation of 气味
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Jason Explains 气味 to You
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Its meaning, its character, its pinyin, its tone — hearing it, saying it, writing it. The Learning Lab measures each one from your own practice, on every word you study, so you see what you actually know rather than how much you have done.
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Component Characters
How to say odor in Chinese
“odor” in Chinese is气味
气味 (qìwèi) refers to the smell or scent of something, encompassing both pleasant and unpleasant odors. It is commonly used in contexts related to food, nature, and personal hygiene. Understanding this word is essential for expressing preferences in scents or discussing environmental factors.
When to use 气味
气味 can describe both good and bad odors, so be careful with context. It is more common in informal settings; in formal writing, you might use a synonym like '香味' (xiāngwèi) for pleasant smells. Watch out for tonal mistakes, as mispronouncing the tones can lead to confusion.
气味 or something close to it
气息 (qìxī) — use 气味 for general smells, while 气息 specifically refers to a breath or a more subtle scent.
What learners get wrong
Learners often confuse 气味 with 味道 (wèidào), which specifically means 'taste.' For example, saying '这个食物的气味很好' (This food's taste is good) is incorrect; it should be '这个食物的味道很好.'
Write 气味
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Practice writing 气味 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.
Grammar Patterns of 气味
气味 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 2 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.
Fill the gap
Type the missing word. Pinyin works; then pick the character.
有潮湿的木料和机油的____。
There was a smell of damp wood and machine oil.
Example Sentences for 气味 (10)
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Frequently Asked Questions about 气味
No, 气味 can refer to both good and bad smells, so the context is important.
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