闻起来很香
wén qǐlái hěn xiāng
The English phrase "smells good" is translated into Chinese as 闻起来很香 (wén qǐlái hěn xiāng).
闻起来很香 is used to describe something that has a pleasant or fragrant aroma. This phrase is most commonly used for food or flowers, rather than for people's body scents.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 闻 (to smell), 起来 (a directional complement indicating the start of a state), 很 (very) and 香 (fragrant/good smelling).
Which one should you use?
To say something smells bad or stinks, replace the word 香 (xiāng, fragrant) with 臭 (chòu, stinky) to form 闻起来很臭.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word 香 (xiāng) functions as an adjective meaning 'fragrant' or 'good smelling' rather than a noun meaning 'spice'.
How do you pronounce it?
wén qǐlái hěn xiāng
Did you know?
- In Chinese, the word 香 can be used to describe a person's popularity. If someone is 'fragrant' 香, it means they are highly sought after or admired by others.
- The word 香 is used in the term 香饽饽, meaning a 'fragrant steamed bun', to describe someone who is a favorite or a 'golden boy' in a professional setting.
- The concept of 'fragrance' in Chinese culture is often associated with 'virtue'. Just as a pleasant smell spreads, a person's good reputation is sometimes described using words related to 'scent'.
Examples in context
- 刚烤好的面包闻起来很香。Gāng kǎo hǎo de miànbāo wén qǐlái hěn xiāng.The freshly baked bread smells good.
- 厨房里的菜闻起来很香。Chúfáng lǐ de cài wén qǐlái hěn xiāng.The food in the kitchen smells good.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are walking through a street market.
- 浩然 Haoran晓雯，这里的桂花闻起来很香。Xiǎowén, zhèlǐ de guìhuā wén qǐlái hěn xiāng.Xiaowen, the osmanthus here smells good.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen是啊，我也觉得很香。Shì a, wǒ yě juédé hěn xiāng.Yes, I think it smells good too.
- 浩然 Haoran我们要不要去那边看看？Wǒmen yào bù yào qù nà biān kàn kàn?Do you want to go over there and look?
- 晓雯 Xiaowen好啊，浩然。Hǎo a, Hàorán.Okay, Haoran.
