氣味
hei3 mei6
The Cantonese word for the sensation of 'smell' (noun) is 氣味 (hei3 mei6).
氣味 refers to a smell or scent as a noun. In formal or scientific contexts, you might encounter the term 嗅覺 (hau3 gok3), which specifically means the olfactory sense.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
氣味 is composed of 氣 (hei3), meaning air or gas and 味 (mei6), meaning taste or flavor.
Which one should you use?
Use 氣味 when you are referring to the smell itself as a noun. For the act of smelling something (the verb), use 聞. Additionally, 味道 (mei6 dou6) is a very common alternative used to describe the specific quality of a smell, taste or flavor.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
hei3 mei6
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the verb 聞 (man4) can also mean 'to hear' in certain classical or specific literary contexts, though today it primarily means 'to smell'.
- The word 氣 in 氣味 also refers to 'vital energy' or 'breath' in traditional Chinese medicine and martial arts.
- The character 味 (mei6) is also used in the word for 'interest' or 'meaning' in some contexts, linking the sensation of flavor to the 'flavor' of a story or life.
Examples in context
- 呢間花店嘅氣味好香，真係獨一無二！The smell of this flower shop is incredibly unique and fragrant!
- 呢種氣味好難聞。ni1 zung2 hei3 mei6 hou2 naan4 man4.This smell is very unpleasant.
- 呢種花嘅氣味好香。ni1 zung2 faa1 ge3 hei3 mei6 hou2 hoeng1.The smell of this flower is very fragrant.
Example conversation
Yating and Chunkit are walking into a bakery.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting俊傑，你聞到啲咩氣味嗎？zeon6 git6, nei5 man4 dou2 di1 me1 hei3 mei6 maa1?Chunkit, do you smell any scent?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit聞到，係啱啱出爐嘅麵包味。man4 dou2, hai6 ngaam1 ngaam1 ceot1 lou4 ge3 min6 baau1 mei6.I do, it's the smell of freshly baked bread.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting呢陣氣味真係好吸引。ni1 zan1 hei3 mei6 zan1 hai6 hou2 kap1 jan1.This smell is really attractive.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit快啲入去買幾個啦。faai3 di1 jap6 heoi3 maai3 gei2 go3 laa1.Let's go in and buy a few quickly.
