Japanese

ぎつける

かぎつける
Meaning: to sniff out; to catch wind of; to detect
Part of Speech: Verb

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Verb inflections

Form Affirmative Negative
Present 嗅ぎつける 嗅ぎつけない
Polite 嗅ぎつけます 嗅ぎつけません
Past 嗅ぎつけた 嗅ぎつけなかった
Polite + Past 嗅ぎつけました 嗅ぎつけませんでした
Te-form 嗅ぎつけて 嗅ぎつけなくて
Potential 嗅ぎつけられる 嗅ぎつけられない
Passive 嗅ぎつけられる 嗅ぎつけられない
Causative 嗅ぎつけさせる 嗅ぎつけさせない
Imperative 嗅ぎつけろ 嗅ぎつけるな

Example

記者たちは汚職の噂を嗅ぎつけて、すぐ市役所に向かった。
The reporters caught wind of the corruption rumor and immediately headed to city hall.

Usage Notes

Often used figuratively for finding out hidden information, a clue, or a rumor. It can also describe literally detecting a smell.

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