شم رائحة غاز

You use this when you enter a room and catch that distinct sulfur scent. You can say it as a question or a statement. If you are worried, you might say أنا أشم رائحة غاز (I am smelling gas). If you want to ask someone else, say هل تشم رائحة غاز؟ (Do you smell gas?). It is simple and requires no complex grammar. Just point and speak.

Use it immediately if you suspect a leak. Use it in the kitchen while cooking. Use it when walking past a construction site. Use it if your water heater is acting up. It is a phrase that demands attention. People will stop what they are doing to check the stove. It is a high-priority sentence in any household.

Do not use this to mean 'something feels fishy' or 'I suspect a lie.' Arabic has other idioms for suspicion. Using this metaphorically will just make people look for a fire extinguisher. Also, do not use it for pleasant smells like perfume. That would be رائحة جميلة (a beautiful scent). This phrase is strictly for the chemical smell of gas.

In many Arab countries, gas cylinders (anabib) are used instead of central gas lines. These cylinders are often kept in the kitchen or outside. Because of this, checking for leaks is a daily habit. It is a common sound in a busy household to hear someone ask this. It reflects a practical, safety-conscious part of domestic life.

In many dialects, you will hear شامم ريحة غاز (shammem rihet ghaz). This is the active participle version. It is very common in Levantine and Egyptian Arabic. You might also hear في ريحة غاز (fee rihet ghaz), which simply means 'There is a smell of gas.' Both are perfectly fine and understood everywhere.