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    Chinese Grammar

    Expressing 'to hear' with 闻 (wén)

    Actions & Events

    Structure

    但 + 闻 + Object

    Explanation

    闻 (wén) is a classical and literary Chinese word meaning "to hear" or "to smell." In modern Chinese, it primarily means "to smell," but in classical poetry and formal writing, it retains its original meaning of "to hear." It appears frequently in Tang poetry and set phrases like 闻名 (famous, literally "heard name").

    Examples

    • 我闻到厨房里飘来一阵香味，妈妈在做红烧肉。

      Wǒ wén dào chúfáng lǐ piāo lái yī zhèn xiāngwèi, māma zài zuò hóngshāoròu.

      I smelled a delicious aroma drifting from the kitchen — Mom is making braised pork.

    • 久闻大名，今天终于见到您本人了。

      Jiǔ wén dàmíng, jīntiān zhōngyú jiàn dào nín běnrén le.

      I've long heard of your great reputation — it's wonderful to finally meet you in person today.

    • 你闻闻这朵花，是不是特别香？

      Nǐ wén wén zhè duǒ huā, shì bù shì tèbié xiāng?

      Smell this flower — isn't it especially fragrant?

    Expressing 'to hear' with 闻 (wén) | Chinese Grammar