嗅 xiù to sniff
to sniff; to smell; to scent
How to remember 嗅: 口 mouth + 臭 to reek = to sniff. The puppy closes his mouth and creeps under the bed, where an old sock has started to reek, and begins to sniff.
Component breakdown
嗅 = 口 mouth + 臭 to reek
- 口 mouth
- 臭 to reek
The puppy closes his mouth and creeps under the bed, where an old sock has started to reek, and begins to sniff.
How it is used
- To actively sniff/smell: 嗅觉 (xiùjué) sense of smell; a dog 嗅来嗅去 (xiù lái xiù qù) sniffs around.
- Contrasts with 闻 (wén), the everyday 'smell/catch a scent' - 嗅 is more deliberate, often technical or figurative.
- Figurative: 嗅到商机 (xiù dào shāngjī) to sniff out a business opportunity.