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 most common and direct way to say 'musty' in Japanese. Literally 'smells of mold'. Used for rooms, old books, clothes, etc.
This room smells musty.
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.
The basement has a musty smell.
Literally 'damp smell'. Emphasizes the humidity aspect of mustiness. Good for describing air or fabrics.
The towel smells musty/damp.
Noun form meaning 'mustiness'. Used when talking about the quality itself rather than describing a smell directly.
I can't stand the mustiness of this room.
The speaker wants to describe a stale, flat, or moldy taste, often from old grains, nuts, or water.
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.
These nuts taste stale/musty.
Means 'outdated' or 'behind the times'. Stronger emphasis on being old-fashioned rather than stale.
That design is musty/outdated.