嗅 (xiù) - To smell & to sniff

嗅Tone 4

xiù ｜ 13 strokes ｜ radical:

信嫣

嗅 · xiù

To smell;

to sniff;

to detect by scent.

To smellto sniffto detect by scent.

Usage highlights

Sense of smellSmell dangerSniff outSmell a flowerSniff the airDetect a scent

Synonyms

  • 闻— to smell; to hear
  • 嗅闻— to sniff and smell

Antonyms

  • 吐— to spit out; to vomit
  • 呼— to exhale

Usage & contexts

Examples

  • The dog can smell the scent (嗅到气味).
  • She sniffed the flower (嗅花).
  • He detected danger (嗅到危险).
  • This animal has a keen sense of smell (嗅觉灵敏).

Collocations

  • Sense of smell(嗅觉)
  • Smell danger(嗅到危险)
  • Sniff out(嗅出)
  • Smell a flower(嗅花)
  • Sniff the air(嗅空气)
  • Detect a scent(嗅到气味)

Idioms

  • Sniffing and licking(嗅舔)
  • Sniff around(东嗅西嗅)
  • Follow one's nose(嗅迹追踪)

Cultural background

FAQ
  • The character combines the mouth radical 口 with the phonetic component 臭, originally meaning 'to smell with the nose'.
  • In Chinese culture, animals with keen sense of smell like dogs are often described using this character.
  • The character appears in both literal and metaphorical contexts, such as 'smelling danger' or 'detecting opportunities'.

FAQ