Wen qilai describes the smell of something, often followed by an adjective.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Describes how something smells.
- Used with adjectives or descriptions.
- Common in everyday conversation.
Overview
“闻起来”是汉语中一个非常常用的动词短语，用于描述通过嗅觉感知到的气味。它通常用来形容人或事物散发出的气味，可以是令人愉悦的，也可以是不那么令人愉悦的，或者是中性的。这个词组的结构简单，由动词“闻”（smell）和表示状态或结果的趋向补语“起来”（up/out）组成，合在一起表示“闻上去……”、“散发出……的气味”的意思。
“闻起来”的基本句型是：[主语] + 闻起来 + [形容词/气味描述]。主语可以是人、动物、食物、物品、地方等。形容词或气味描述用来具体说明闻到的气味是怎样的。
例如：
人/动物：宝宝闻起来香香的。
有时也可以用“闻起来像……”来直接比喻或描述气味。
例如：
他闻起来像个烟鬼。
“闻起来”在日常生活中非常常见，尤其是在谈论食物、香水、花卉、清洁用品、衣物、家居环境等与气味相关的场景时。例如，在厨房里做饭时，人们会说“这汤闻起来真不错”；在商店里，人们会评价“这个香皂闻起来很清新”；在描述一个地方时，可能会说“这个房间闻起来有点乱”。
与“闻起来”相似的词语包括“闻到”和“有气味”。
“闻到”：这是一个动词，强调的是“嗅到”这个动作本身，通常后面会跟具体的名词，表示闻到了什么气味。例如：“我闻到一股花香。” 而“闻起来”则更侧重于描述气味的性质。
“有气味”：这是一个描述性的短语，表示某物散发出气味，但不直接涉及“闻”这个动作。例如：“这个地方有奇怪的气味。” “闻起来”则包含了“闻”的动作和对气味的描述。
在A2级别，理解“闻起来”描述气味的能力是重点，而“闻到”和“有气味”则提供了更多关于气味来源和性质的表达方式。
Examples
这个蛋糕闻起来很甜。
everydayThis cake smells very sweet.
新买的鞋子闻起来有点橡胶味。
informalThe new shoes smell a bit like rubber.
雨后的空气闻起来很清新。
everydayThe air after the rain smells very fresh.
他身上闻起来有股淡淡的烟草味。
informalHe smells faintly of tobacco.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
闻起来真香！
It smells so good!
闻起来有点怪。
It smells a bit strange.
这花闻起来很香。
These flowers smell very fragrant.
Often Confused With
'Wen qilai' describes the quality of the smell ('smells like X'). 'Wendao' emphasizes the action of perceiving the smell ('smelled X'). For example, 'Wo wendao yigu xiangjiao wei' (I smelled the scent of banana), versus 'Zhege xiangjiao wen qilai hen tian' (This banana smells very sweet).
'You qiwèi' means 'has a smell' or 'is odorous'. It states the existence of a smell neutrally. 'Wen qilai' describes the nature of that smell. For example, 'Zhege difang you henzhong qiwèi' (This place has a strong smell), versus 'Zhege difang wen qilai hen chou' (This place smells very bad).
Grammar Patterns
How to Use It
Usage Notes
This phrase is very common in everyday spoken Chinese. It is generally neutral in terms of formality. Use it when describing food, drinks, perfumes, flowers, or even unpleasant odors in a casual setting. It's less common in highly formal written contexts unless describing sensory experiences.
Common Mistakes
Learners might incorrectly use 'wen' alone when 'wen qilai' is needed to describe the smell. For instance, saying 'Wo wen zhege dangao' instead of 'Zhege dangao wen qilai hen xiang'. Also, confusing 'wen qilai' with 'wen dao' is common; remember 'wen qilai' describes the smell itself, while 'wen dao' focuses on the act of smelling.
Tips
Focus on the Scent Description
Remember that 'wen qilai' is about describing the quality of a smell, not just the act of smelling.
Avoid Direct Translation
Don't directly translate 'smell' into 'wen' alone; 'wen qilai' is needed to convey 'smells like'.
Food and Scents
In Chinese culture, describing food as 'wen qilai hen xiang' (smells very fragrant) is a common compliment.
Word Origin
The phrase combines 'wen' (to smell) with 'qilai' (a directional complement indicating the start or emergence of an action or state). Together, they form an idiomatic expression meaning 'to give off a smell' or 'to smell like'.
Cultural Context
In Chinese culture, describing food or pleasant aromas positively is a way to show appreciation. Phrases like '闻起来很香' are common compliments when sharing meals or discussing food.
Memory Tip
Think of 'wen qilai' as 'smell + it comes out'. The smell 'comes out' of the object, and you are describing what comes out.
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questions“闻起来”侧重于描述气味的性质或给人的感觉，后面常跟形容词。例如：“这个面包闻起来很香。” “闻到”则强调嗅到气味这个动作，后面常跟具体的名词。例如：“我闻到了一股烤肉味。”
“闻起来”后面可以跟形容词来描述气味，如“香”、“臭”、“甜”、“酸”、“清新”、“难闻”等。也可以跟名词短语，特别是用“像”引导的比喻。例如：“闻起来像花一样。”
可以。例如，“他闻起来有点酒气”或者“宝宝闻起来香香的”。这通常是描述人身上散发出的气味。
“闻起来”本身是中性的，它的褒贬取决于后面所跟的形容词或描述。例如，“闻起来很香”是褒义，“闻起来很臭”是贬义。
Test Yourself
这个房间里有股奇怪的味道，____ ____ ____。
“闻起来”后面常跟形容词或描述语，用来描述气味。这里“有点怪”是对气味的描述。
妈妈做的苹果派____，全家都流口水了。
“闻起来”后面接形容词“很香”，描述苹果派散发出的香味，符合语境。
（闻起来 / 像 / 玫瑰花 / 这束花）
“这束花”是主语，“闻起来”是谓语部分，“像玫瑰花”是补语，描述气味的比喻。
Score: /3
Summary
Wen qilai describes the smell of something, often followed by an adjective.
- Describes how something smells.
- Used with adjectives or descriptions.
- Common in everyday conversation.
Focus on the Scent Description
Remember that 'wen qilai' is about describing the quality of a smell, not just the act of smelling.
Avoid Direct Translation
Don't directly translate 'smell' into 'wen' alone; 'wen qilai' is needed to convey 'smells like'.
Food and Scents
In Chinese culture, describing food as 'wen qilai hen xiang' (smells very fragrant) is a common compliment.
Examples
4 of 4这个蛋糕闻起来很甜。
This cake smells very sweet.
新买的鞋子闻起来有点橡胶味。
The new shoes smell a bit like rubber.
雨后的空气闻起来很清新。
The air after the rain smells very fresh.
他身上闻起来有股淡淡的烟草味。
He smells faintly of tobacco.
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