In Spanish, "olfato" refers to the sense of smell or olfaction, which is one of the five traditional senses. It is commonly used in both oral and written contexts, particularly in discussions relating to biology, medicine, and sensory experiences. In everyday language, it can also describe a person's ability to detect or intuit something, such as in phrases indicating a strong instinct or intuition. Its frequency of use is moderate, and it tends to appear more in descriptive contexts.
The sense of smell of dogs is much sharper than that of humans.
La pérdida del olfato puede ser un síntoma de diversas enfermedades.
The loss of smell can be a symptom of various illnesses.
Ella tiene un olfato excelente para detectar aromas.
"Olfato" is also commonly found in idiomatic expressions in Spanish, often relating to intuition or perception.
To have a good sense of smell: It means to have excellent intuition.
Perder el olfato: Se usa para describir a alguien que ha perdido su intuición o habilidad para percibir situaciones.
To lose one's sense of smell: It is used to describe someone who has lost their intuition or ability to perceive situations.
Olfato para los negocios: Se refiere a una persona que tiene buena capacidad para identificar oportunidades comerciales.
Sense of smell for business: It refers to a person who has a good capacity to identify business opportunities.
Un olfato afilado: Describe a alguien que es muy observador o perspicaz.
The word "olfato" derives from the Latin "olfactus", which is the past participle of "olfacere", meaning "to smell, to perceive by smell". This etymology reflects the fundamental nature of olfaction as a sensory experience associated with discernment and perception.
This comprehensive overview details the term "olfato" in alignment with your criteria, showcasing its significance in both general and medical contexts.