Forgetting the 'H'

This verb is irregular because the 'o' in the middle changes to 'ue' in most present tense forms, except for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', which keep the 'o'.

Stem Change

Even though this word starts with 'h', it is silent. You pronounce it exactly like 'we.leh'.

The Silent 'H'

To say what something smells *like*, always use 'huele a' (smells *to*): 'Huele a lavanda' (It smells like lavender).

Scent Description

Extremely common. Used daily when discussing scents, food, and quality.

When used figuratively, 'huele' almost always suggests a negative connotation or a problem, similar to how we say 'I smell a rat' in English.

Figurative Use

Just like the physical meaning, the figurative meaning requires the preposition 'a' to indicate what the situation 'smells like': 'Huele a problemas' (It smells like problems).

Using 'a'

Moderately common in conversation when expressing suspicion or intuition.

"Huele" is the 3rd person singular present tense of 'oler' (to smell). Learn how to use it for physical scents ('The food smells good') and figurative suspicions ('It smells like trouble').

oler

Complete Conjugation Tables

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

future

imperfect

conditional

preterite

imperative

negative

affirmative

subjunctive

present

imperfect

Practice Conjugations