Translation guide
Describes a stale, damp, unpleasant smell often found in old, poorly ventilated spaces or items.
The speaker wants to say that a place or object smells stale, damp, and unpleasant, like an old basement or wet clothes left too long.
The speaker wants to describe a stale, flat, or moldy taste, often from old grains, nuts, or water.
Directly 'musty taste'. Used for food or drink that tastes like mold or dampness.
この水はカビ臭い味がする。
This water tastes musty.
The speaker wants to describe an old-fashioned, stagnant, or unoriginal atmosphere, idea, or style.
Avoid directly translating 'musty' as かびの生えた (moldy) unless mold is actually visible. カビ臭い focuses on the smell, which is usually the intended meaning.
The most common and direct way to say 'musty' in Japanese. Literally 'smells of mold'. Used for rooms, old books, clothes, etc.
この部屋はカビ臭い。
This room smells musty.
古い本がカビ臭くなった。
The old books have become musty.
Kanji form of カビ臭い. Less common in everyday writing but seen in literature. Same meaning and usage.
地下室は黴臭い匂いがする。
The basement has a musty smell.
Literally 'damp smell'. Emphasizes the humidity aspect of mustiness. Good for describing air or fabrics.
タオルから湿っぽい匂いがする。
The towel smells musty/damp.
Noun form meaning 'mustiness'. Used when talking about the quality itself rather than describing a smell directly.
この部屋の黴臭さには耐えられない。
I can't stand the mustiness of this room.
Means 'stale' or 'old-smelling/tasting'. Can be used for food that has lost freshness, though it's more about age than mold.
このナッツは古臭い。
These nuts taste stale/musty.
Commonly used figuratively for ideas, styles, or atmospheres that feel outdated and stale.
彼の考え方は古臭い。
His way of thinking is musty/outdated.
Means 'outdated' or 'behind the times'. Stronger emphasis on being old-fashioned rather than stale.
そのデザインは時代遅れだ。
That design is musty/outdated.