pok3 bei6撲鼻扑鼻
Jyutpingpok3 bei6
Yalepok beih
Definition
To assault the nostrils; for a strong odor to hit one's nose.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Used almost exclusively for strong, sudden, or overwhelming smells that hit the senses immediately upon entering a space. It carries a slightly literary or dramatic flair, often appearing in descriptions of food or environmental conditions. While it can describe pleasant scents, it is equally common when complaining about unpleasant or pungent odours.
Examples
As soon as I opened the door, a fragrant scent hit my nose.
Can you smell that foul odour assaulting your nostrils?
Related words
Common phrases
fragrant scent hitting the nose
to come rushing to the nose
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe the act of smelling something intentionally, as it focuses on the scent moving towards the person rather than the person seeking the scent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
