oler
/oh-LEHR/
to smell (of something)
Use "oler" to describe perceiving a scent, like the fragrance of a rose.
oler(verb)
to smell (of something)
?to perceive a scent
,to have a smell
?describing the odor something produces
to reek
?when the smell is strong and negative
📝 In Action
¡Qué bien huele este café!
A1This coffee smells so good!
La ropa huele a limpio después de lavarla.
A1The clothes smell clean after washing them.
¿A qué huele aquí? ¿A quemado?
A2What does it smell like in here? Burnt?
💡 Grammar Points
The 'A' Connector
When describing what something smells like, Spanish uses the preposition 'a' (to/at): 'Huele a lavanda' (It smells like lavender).
The H-Addition (Irregularity)
In the present tenses (like 'yo,' 'tú,' 'él/ella,' 'ellos/ellas'), the verb changes from 'o' to 'ue' and adds an 'h' at the beginning: 'huelo' (I smell). This 'h' is silent!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'H'
Mistake: "Using 'uelo' instead of 'huelo'."
Correction: Always remember the silent 'h' in the stressed forms: 'huelo.' It's a special spelling rule for this verb.
⭐ Usage Tips
Telling vs. Doing
This meaning (Definition 1) is often used impersonally ('Huele bien') to describe the quality of the smell, not the action of smelling.
"Oler" can mean "to sniff," the action of actively using your nose to detect something.
oler(verb)
to sniff
?using your nose to detect a scent
,to smell (an object)
?the active process of smelling something
to scent
?used in contexts like hunting dogs
📝 In Action
El perro olió mi mano y luego se fue.
A2The dog sniffed my hand and then left.
Olemos las flores antes de comprarlas.
B1We smell the flowers before buying them.
Hueles la leche para ver si está caducada.
A2You smell the milk to see if it's expired.
💡 Grammar Points
Direct Object
In this meaning, 'oler' takes a direct object (the thing you are smelling): 'Oler la sopa' (to smell the soup).
⭐ Usage Tips
Action vs. Perception
If you are actively using your nose, use this meaning. If you are just noticing a smell passively, use Definition 1.
When something "smells fishy," we use "oler" metaphorically to mean something is suspicious or doubtful.
oler(verb)
to smell fishy
?to be suspicious or doubtful
,to suspect
?to sense something is wrong
to be shady
?describing a dubious situation
📝 In Action
Esa oferta de trabajo me huele muy mal.
B2That job offer smells very fishy to me.
El trato huele a fraude. No confío.
C1The deal smells like fraud. I don't trust it.
Algo huele a podrido en este plan.
B2Something smells rotten in this plan.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning extends the idea of a 'bad' physical smell to a 'bad' feeling or suspicion about a situation.
⭐ Usage Tips
Common Structure
This figurative use is often paired with 'mal' or used with the preposition 'a' to indicate what the situation resembles (e.g., 'huele a trampa' - it smells like a trap).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: oler
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'oler' to mean 'to suspect something is wrong'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'oler' start with a silent 'h' in some forms but not others?
This is a special spelling rule! The verb stem changes from 'o' to 'ue' in stressed forms (like *huelo*). Spanish spelling rules require adding a silent 'h' at the beginning of a word if it starts with the sound 'ue' (like *huevo* or *hielo*). This ensures the vowel sound is clear.
How do I know if 'oler' means 'to perceive a smell' or 'to sniff'?
If it is used with the preposition 'a' ('huele a café'), it usually means the passive perception (Definition 1). If it takes a direct object and describes an action performed by a person or animal ('olimos el perfume'), it means active sniffing (Definition 2).