嗅ぎ取る

• Reading: かぎとる
• Romaji: kagitoru
• Kanji breakdown: 嗅 (kyuu/ka) — smell, sniff; 取 (shu/to) — take, grasp, detect
• Pronunciation: /ka.ɡi.to.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To smell out; to detect by scent; to sense or intuit (a hidden truth, danger, or intention).

A Group 1 (godan) compound verb from 嗅ぐ (to sniff) and 取る (to take, to grasp). Conjugates as 嗅ぎ取ら-ない, 嗅ぎ取り-ます. Used both literally (an animal detecting scent) and figuratively (a person sensing deception, opportunity, or hidden motive with instinctive acuity).

Examples

1. 犬は遠くから獲物の存在を嗅ぎ取り、低く唸り始めた。 The dog detected the presence of prey from far away and began to growl softly.
2. 経験豊富な投資家は市場の微妙な変化をいち早く嗅ぎ取って動く。 Experienced investors are quick to sense subtle changes in the market and act accordingly.
3. 彼女は上司の発言の裏に何らかの意図を嗅ぎ取っていた。 She sensed some hidden intention behind her boss's remarks.

Usage Guide

Context: animals, intuition, business, narrative

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Compound of 嗅ぐ (kagu, to sniff) and 取る (toru, to take, to grasp). The combination suggests actively reaching out to detect something invisible, like a hound locking onto a scent trail.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal