oliendo
/oljendo/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'smelling' is translated into Spanish as oliendo.
oliendo refers to the act of using the nose to perceive a scent. Oler is a general and versatile verb for smell suitable for formal situations, whereas in a formal context, the phrase Detectar aromas is used to emphasize detecting or identifying aromas.
Which one should you use?
The word Olisquear has a playful tone and is used to describe sniffing or smelling in a relaxed setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
oliendo is the gerund form of the verb oler, used to express an ongoing action.
How do you pronounce it?
/oljendo/
Did you know?
- The verb oler is used in the idiomatic expression oler a chino, which describes something that seems too good to be true or smells like a scam.
- While oliendo is neutral, the related word olfato is used in Spanish to describe someone's 'nose' for business or their instinct for finding opportunities.
- To describe something that smells bad, Spanish speakers often use oler without specifying the scent. Simply saying esto huele (this smells) is understood as 'this smells bad', whereas in English, 'this smells' is ambiguous.
Examples in context
- Estoy oliendo las rosas.I am smelling the roses.This sentence is useful for saying you are currently smelling the form oliendo.Tatoeba #1683685 by marcelostockle, translation #1665973 by Amastan
- Mary está oliendo las flores.Mary is smelling the flowers.This sentence is useful for saying Mary is currently smelling the form oliendo.Tatoeba #1669038 by marcelostockle, translation #1662937 by Amastan
- La niña está oliendo las flores.The girl is smelling the flowers.This sentence is useful for saying the girl is currently smelling the form oliendo.Tatoeba #3103198 by marcelostockle, translation #46463 by CK
- El perfume de las flores me transporta a un jardín primaveralThe scent of flowers transports me to a spring garden
- Estoy aspirando el delicioso aroma del caféI am inhaling/sniffing the delicious aroma of the coffee
- El olor a tierra mojada después de la lluvia es únicoThe smell of wet earth after the rain is unique
- ¡Huele a comida deliciosa!It smells like delicious food!
Example conversation
Elena and Alejandro are in the kitchen during dinner preparation.
- Elena¿Qué estás oliendo, Alejandro?What are you smelling, Alejandro?
- AlejandroEstoy oliendo la salsa de tomate.I am smelling the tomato sauce.
- ElenaHuele muy bien, ¿verdad?It smells very good, doesn't it?
- AlejandroSí, es deliciosa.Yes, it is delicious.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
