smell (by breathing in)
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- 1 smell (by breathing in)、inhale (air, smoke, vapor, etc.)
Describes breathing in a smell, air, smoke, vapor, or another airborne substance through the nose.
smell (by breathing in)、inhale (air, smoke, vapor, etc.)
To draw something airborne in through the nose, often to smell it or as an act of inhalation.
Learning notes
Explanation
สูดดม combines สูด, “to draw in with the breath,” and ดม, “to smell or sniff.” Its central image is actively taking something in through the nose while breathing. It can describe enjoying a pleasant scent as well as inhaling smoke, gas, or chemicals. The object commonly follows the verb, as in สูดดมกลิ่น “breathe in a scent” and สูดดมควัน “inhale smoke.” It is used in ordinary language, but it also frequently appears with the more technical sense “inhale” in medical information and safety warnings.
Usage
Used when breathing in the scent of flowers or perfume, or when taking a deep breath of fresh air. It is also common in warnings, accident reports, and medical information about inhaling smoke, toxic gas, or chemicals.
Caution
สูดดม normally describes the act of actually breathing something in through the nose. To say that you simply noticed a smell, use ได้กลิ่น instead.
Differences from similar words
1 smell (by breathing in) synonyms
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ดม is the general verb for putting one’s nose near something and smelling or sniffing it. สูดดม more clearly suggests drawing it in with the breath and is also used for inhaling smoke or chemicals.
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สูด emphasizes drawing air or another substance inward and does not necessarily involve smelling it. สูดดม specifically suggests inhaling through the nose, often while perceiving a smell.
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ได้กลิ่น means to notice or detect a smell, even without intentionally sniffing. สูดดม describes the physical act of breathing something in through the nose.