‘嗅敏度’ literally combines three characters: 嗅 (xiù, 'to smell'), 敏 (mǐn, 'sensitive' or 'acute'), and 度 (dù, 'degree' or 'level'). Together, it means 'olfactory sensitivity' — the ability to detect and distinguish odors at low concentrations. It is a formal, scientific term used in biology, medicine, and sensory research.

This word often appears when discussing differences in smell perception across species (e.g., dogs have far higher 嗅敏度 than humans) or in clinical contexts, such as assessing nasal disorders or neurological conditions affecting smell. Unlike everyday expressions like 闻得到 (‘can smell’), 嗅敏度 emphasizes measurable capacity — it’s rarely used in casual conversation and more common in academic writing, veterinary reports, or health assessments.