verb HSK 4
Traditional 聞
to smell · to hear · to sniff · news (classical)
Meaning
闻 is a versatile verb meaning primarily 'to smell' or 'to hear.' It emphasizes the act of perceiving through the nose or ears. In classical Chinese, it also served as a noun meaning 'news' or 'reputation,' though this usage is less common in modern speech.
Usage
In modern Mandarin, 闻 is more literary than colloquial. For 'to smell,' people often use 闻到 or 闻闻 in everyday conversation. When meaning 'to hear,' it's quite formal—听说 or 听 are more common in casual speech. 闻 frequently appears in compounds and idioms.
Examples
- 01我闻到了花香。.I smelled the fragrance of flowers.
- 02久闻大名。.I've long heard of your great reputation.
Common collocations
- 闻到to smell (detect an odor)
- 闻名famous, well-known
- 新闻news
- 耳闻to hear of
Origin
The traditional form 聞 shows a person (门) with an ear (耳), representing the act of listening or hearing. Over time, the meaning extended to include smelling, as both involve perceiving information.