German word

riechen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʁiːçn̩/

Meaning

  • verbsmell

Example

Im Zimmer riecht es nach Rauch.

The room smells of smoke.

Illustration for riechen (smell)

More examples

Sie riecht an der Jacke.

She sniffs at the jacket.

Core concept

A source sends out an odor that reaches a nose, or a nose deliberately tests the odor.

Common phrases

  • riechen an der Jacke

    sniff at the jacket

  • riechen nach frischen Kräutern

    smell of fresh herbs

  • riechen nach Essen

    smell of food

Similar words

duften: To have a pleasant fragrance that leaves a favorable impression.
stinken: To produce a strong, offensive odor.
schnuppern: To sniff lightly while bringing the nose close to something.
schnüffeln: To keep sniffing in order to detect or follow a smell.

Definition in German

Bezeichnet das Verströmen oder Wahrnehmen eines Geruchs; kann einen Zustand beschreiben (es riecht) oder eine Handlung (an etwas riechen).

Word origin

German riechen comes through Middle High German riechen from Old High German riohhan and retains the Germanic sense of smelling or giving off an odor.

Usage tips

  • The pattern riechen nach takes a dative noun, as in nach Rauch, meaning that something smells of smoke.

Other meanings

  • sniffverb
  • be fragrantverb

Related words

  • Riechorganolfactory organnoun
  • Riechersense of smellnoun

Word lists with this word