Smelling in Spanish

Question

Forgive my ignorance when it comes to grammar. I will try to phrase this question as clearly as possible.

In English when we use the verb 'smell' we use it in both the active and passive sense As in A. He smells fire (he is acting upon something else) B. he smells funny (passively, he isn't doing anything)

In Spanish you would say A. Huele fuego (I think) How would you say B?

• For A. "Huele a humo" not fire. For B. "Ella huele bien" - Vernet Nov 22, 2009

Answer 1

[Él] Huele extraño.

According to some links I looked at, you don't need the passive/reflexive se or anything unusual. It works just like in English where it can be transitive or intransitive.

In the passive voice, the action described by the verb is being done to the subject by an agent.

He smells funny.

Not truly passive as there is no agent. It is intransitive.

Answer 2

he smells funny (passively, he isn't doing anything)

I have never heard that expression used in that way. If you say "he smells funny" to me it means that he has a strange smell about him.

• That's what I meant. He smells funny, it smells good, it smells like fire etc. - Sihara Nov 22, 2009
• OK Sorry, I was confused. You are right. - 00515f39 Nov 22, 2009

Answer 3

A. En español, no se refiere a fuego "fire". Decimos "huele a humo" (smoke) cuando nos referimos a que algo se está quemando.

B. La traducción de "He smells funny" sería "Él huele bien".

• What do you use when he smells good? Nice aftershave. (bueno?) - qfreed Nov 22, 2009