man4 dou2聞到闻到
Jyutpingman4 dou2
Yalemàhn dóu
Definition
To smell; to perceive an odor.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
This verb acts as a resultative construction where the second character indicates the successful perception of a scent. It is frequently paired with the classifier 陣 to describe the specific quality of the smell being perceived. Unlike the English verb smell which can be active, this construction emphasizes the involuntary act of detecting an odor.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 嗅, which is the active, intentional act of sniffing or smelling something. Using 聞到 implies that the scent has already reached your nose, whereas 嗅 is the deliberate action of trying to detect a scent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
