oler a
/oleɾ a/from spelling rules
The phrase "smell like" in Spanish is translated as oler a.
This phrase is used to describe having a specific scent or aroma that reminds one of something else. When describing the scent of an object or an environment, you use the third-person singular conjugated form huele a.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some regions of Latin America, the expression oler a pata is used specifically to say that someone smells bad.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase uses the preposition a to connect the verb to the scent being described. When you want to say "it smells like" (referring to an object or environment), the verb is conjugated as huele a.
How do you pronounce it?
/oleɾ a/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using oler como to mean "smell like". While "como" means "like" in other contexts, English speakers mistakenly use it here. Instead, you must use the preposition a.
Did you know?
- While oler a describes a scent, the phrase oler a cerrado is used to describe the specific smell of a room that has been shut up for a long time.
- In Spanish, saying someone huele a milenios suggests they smell extremely old or dusty, rather than just having a scent.
- The use of a in oler a is a remnant of the Latin ad, which means 'to' or 'toward'.
Examples in context
- Este perfume huele a rosas.This perfume smells like roses.
- El jardín huele a flores frescas.The garden smells like fresh flowers.
- La comida desprendía un delicioso olor a especias.The food emitted a delicious smell of spices.
- El jabón artesanal desprende un olor a lavanda.The handmade soap gives off a lavender smell.
- ¡Huelo a café!I smell like coffee!
- El baño huele a limpio.The bathroom smells clean.
- Ella huele como una rosa.She smells like a rose.
- Este queso huele como un trozo de paraíso.This cheese smells like a slice of paradise.
- Ese perfume huele intensamente a vainilla.That perfume smells intensely like vanilla.
- El cubierto tiene un fuerte olor a ajo.The cutlery has a strong smell of garlic.
- Huele a flores.It smells like flowers.
- Huele a quemado.It smells like something is burning.
- Esta vela debe oler a lavanda.This candle must smell like lavender.
- Tu cocina suele oler a pan recién hecho.Your kitchen usually smells like freshly made bread.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, oler, CC BY-SA 4.0.
