Qu'est-ce qui sent le chocolat

pamela B.C1Kwiziq community member

Qu'est-ce qui sent le chocolat

Why isn't it "qu'est-ce qui sent comme le chocolat" if the answer is "what smells like chocolate"?  It looks like "what does chocolate smell like."

Asked 4 years ago
CécileNative French expert teacher in KwiziqCorrect answer

Hi Pamela,

Actually, "What does chocolate smell like ?" is a totally different question to "what smells like chocolate ?".

In the second one, you already know what the 'odeur/arôme' of chocolate is.

To answer your question you would have to say something like :

Comment expliquer/définir l'arôme du chocolat ?

But 

Qu'est-ce qui sent le chocolat ? What smells like chocolate? 

Bonne Continuation!

Jim J.C1 Kwiziq Q&A super contributor

Hi Pamela,

Try here Describing senses with "sentir" - The different meanings of the verb "sentir" in French%252Fsearch%253Fs%253Dsentir

Towards the bottom of this piece it specifically covers this type of "smelling like" useage.

I think that this may help you.

Alan (Jim)

pamela B. asked:

Qu'est-ce qui sent le chocolat

Why isn't it "qu'est-ce qui sent comme le chocolat" if the answer is "what smells like chocolate"?  It looks like "what does chocolate smell like."

Sign in to submit your answer

Don't have an account yet? Join today

Ask a question

Find your French level for FREE

Test your French to the CEFR standard

Find your French level
Let me take a look at that...