ריח
réakh/ˈʁe.aχ/
The English word 'smell' is translated into Hebrew as ריח (réakh).
ריח is a noun referring to a smell or a scent. To describe a pleasant scent, you can use the phrase ריח טוב and to describe an unpleasant one, use ריח רע.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun ריח can be used to describe the sensation itself, such as having a 'sense of smell' (חוש ריח). The related verb הֵרִיחַ means to smell something with the nose.
How do you pronounce it?
The word is pronounced as réakh. It has two syllables, with the stress on the first syllable.
Did you know?
- While ריח is the noun for 'smell', the word for 'perfume' is בשמים. This word is derived from the word for 'spices' and shares a root with the word for 'heaven' (שמיים).
- In biblical Hebrew, the phrase ריח ניחוח describes a 'soothing aroma'. It is specifically used to describe the scent of offerings rising to God, implying a sense of peace and acceptance.
- The Hebrew verb להריח (to smell) can also mean 'to detect' or 'to sense' something abstract, like a person sensing a hidden motive.
Examples in context
- לבשר הזה ריח רע.This meat has a bad smell.This sentence shows how to describe a bad scent using ריח.Tatoeba #6027088 by fekundulo, translation #1689505 by CM
- יש לי חוש ריח טוב.I have a good sense of smell.This sentence illustrates the phrase for a sense of smell using ריח.Tatoeba #684497 by Eldad, translation #326619 by CK
- ריחם של הורדים טוב.The roses smell nice.This sentence demonstrates how to describe a pleasant scent using ריח.Tatoeba #2936015 by fekundulo, translation #2949275 by AlanF_US
- 28 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Rotem and Noam are walking into a bakery.
- רוטם Rotemאתה מרגיש את הריח הזה?Atah margish et ha-rei'ach ha-zeh?Do you smell this smell?
- נועם Noamכן, זה ריח של לחם טרי.Ken, zeh rei'ach shel lechem tari.Yes, it is the smell of fresh bread.
- רוטם Rotemזה הריח הכי טוב בעולם.Zeh ha-rei'ach ha-chi tov ba-olam.It's the best smell in the world.
- נועם Noamאני מסכים, בוא נקנה משהו.Ani maskim, bo nikne mashehu.I agree, let's buy something.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry ריח, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
