Inklingo

How to Say "to sniff" in Spanish

English → Spanish

oler

oh-LEHRoˈleɾ

verbA2general
Use 'oler' when the primary action is using your nose to detect or identify a scent, often in a passive or incidental way.
A brown and white cartoon dog actively sniffing the ground with its nose close to the grass.

Examples

El perro olió mi mano y luego se fue.

The dog sniffed my hand and then left.

Olemos las flores antes de comprarlas.

We smell the flowers before buying them.

Hueles la leche para ver si está caducada.

You smell the milk to see if it's expired.

Direct Object

In this meaning, 'oler' takes a direct object (the thing you are smelling): 'Oler la sopa' (to smell the soup).

aspirar

as-pee-RAHRas.piˈɾaɾ

verbA2general
Use 'aspirar' when the action involves actively breathing in through your nose, often quickly or deeply, to inhale a smell or air.
A child standing in a field of flowers, taking a deep breath of the fresh air.

Examples

Aspira profundamente por la nariz.

Breathe in deeply through your nose.

Me gusta aspirar el aroma del café por la mañana.

I like to inhale the aroma of coffee in the morning.

El médico me pidió que aspirara con fuerza.

The doctor asked me to inhale with force.

Breathing vs. Wanting

When you are just breathing in air, you use the word directly with the thing you are breathing: 'Aspiro el humo' (I inhale the smoke).

Don't confuse with 'espirar'

Mistake: “Yo espiro el perfume.”

Correction: Yo aspiro el perfume. 'Espirar' (with an E) means to breathe out or to expire/end.

husmear

oos-meh-AHRus.meˈaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'husmear' when describing the act of actively searching for or investigating a scent, typically done by animals.
A curious beagle dog with its nose pressed to the grass, sniffing a trail.

Examples

El perro empezó a husmear el rastro del conejo en el jardín.

The dog started to sniff the rabbit's trail in the garden.

No me gusta que la gente venga a husmear en mi oficina.

I don't like people coming to snoop around in my office.

Vimos a un extraño husmeando cerca de la puerta trasera.

We saw a stranger poking around near the back door.

Using the word with 'en'

When you are 'snooping' or 'prying' into something specific, like a drawer or a conversation, always follow the verb with the word 'en'.

Sniffing vs. Smelling

Unlike 'oler' (to smell), which can be passive, 'husmear' is an active movement where you are searching for a scent or info.

Husmear vs. Oler

Mistake: “Huelo en tu cajón.”

Correction: Husmeo en tu cajón. (Use 'husmear' for the physical act of prying or searching through something).

Oler vs. Aspirar

Learners often confuse 'oler' and 'aspirar'. Remember that 'oler' is about detecting a smell, while 'aspirar' is about the physical act of breathing in through the nose. You might 'oler' something without actively 'aspirar' it.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.