Translation guide
Describes a scent that remains after the source is gone, often with a poetic or nostalgic nuance.
To describe a pleasant scent that remains in the air or on an object after the source has left.
Literally 'remaining fragrance', used for a pleasant scent left behind, often in literary or poetic contexts.
Even after she left, the lingering scent of flowers hung in the room.
A more literary term for lingering fragrance, often used in poetry or refined writing.
The lingering scent of matcha filled the tea room.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'the scent remains', usable in everyday conversation.
The lingering scent of his cologne still remains in this room.
To describe a smell that persists, often unwanted, such as smoke or food odors.
Specifically for an unpleasant lingering smell, though less common than 残り香.
The lingering smell of tobacco has soaked into my clothes.
General phrase for a lingering smell, neutral to negative.
Emphasizes that the smell won't go away, often used for stubborn odors.
To evoke a sense of memory or emotion through a scent that remains, often in literary or artistic contexts.
残り香 (のこりが) is used for pleasant lingering scents, while 残り臭 (のこりが) is for unpleasant ones. In casual speech, 残り臭 is less common; people often just say 臭いが残る.
I like the lingering scent of flowers.
I hate the lingering smell of fish.
The verb 漂う (ただよう) is often used with scents to describe them hanging or drifting in the air, adding a poetic touch.
The smell of cooking is lingering in the room.
I'm having trouble with the lingering smell of garbage that won't go away.
At the end of autumn, the lingering scent of summer mingles with the wind.