“闻到”常见的英文表达是 smell(作动词时),也可用 catch a whiff of、get a scent of 等短语来表达类似意思。具体如下:
smell:最为常用和直接,强调通过鼻子感知到气味这一动作。例如:I can smell the flowers.(我能闻到花香。)
catch a whiff of:意思是“突然闻到一股……的气味”,强调短暂、意外地闻到。例如:I caught a whiff of fresh bread as I walked past the bakery.(当我走过面包店时,突然闻到一股新鲜面包的香味。)
get a scent of:侧重于“察觉到某种气味”,常带有一种探寻或发现的意味。例如:The dog got a scent of the rabbit and started chasing it.(狗察觉到了兔子的气味,开始追赶它。)