Translation guide
The English word 'scent' refers to a smell, often pleasant or distinctive. In Japanese, the most common equivalent is 匂い (nioi), but other words like 香り (kaori) and 臭い (nioi) are used depending on whether the smell is pleasant or unpleasant. This guide helps learners choose the right word and use natural expressions.
To describe a pleasant or sweet smell, such as that of flowers, perfume, or food.
Refers specifically to a pleasant, often delicate or elegant fragrance. Commonly used for flowers, tea, perfume, and food.
I like the scent of this flower.
The scent of black tea filled the room.
A general term for smell, neutral or slightly positive. Can be used for pleasant scents but is less specific than 香り. Often used in everyday conversation.
There's a nice scent.
I smell the scent of baking bread.
A formal or literary term for a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Often used in written descriptions or product names.
The sweet scent of flowers is drifting in the garden.
To describe a bad or strong smell, such as body odor, garbage, or chemicals.
When written with the kanji 臭い, it specifically means a bad smell, stench, or odor. In speech, context determines whether におい is neutral or negative.
There's a scent of garbage.
A formal term for a foul odor or stench. Used in news, complaints, or technical contexts.
To refer to a smell that is recognizable or associated with a particular thing, person, or place, without strong positive or negative connotation.
The most versatile word for any kind of smell, including distinctive scents. Can be neutral or slightly positive depending on context.
This room has the scent of old books.
Can be used for distinctive but pleasant scents, such as the smell of a particular person or place, if perceived positively.
To describe a smell that is barely noticeable or delicate.
To refer to the smell left by an animal, used for tracking or detection.
To refer to a manufactured scent product like perfume or cologne.
匂い (におい) is the general word for smell, neutral or slightly positive. 香り (かおり) is specifically a pleasant fragrance. 臭い (におい) when written with this kanji means a bad smell. In speech, におい can be ambiguous, so context or adjectives like いい (good) or 悪い (bad) clarify the meaning.
good scent vs bad scent
English 'scent' is often neutral, but 香り is exclusively positive. Using 香り for a bad smell sounds unnatural. Use 匂い or 臭い for neutral or negative smells.
The scent of the socks is terrible.
工場から悪臭が発生した。
A foul scent was emitted from the factory.
His clothes had the scent of cigarettes.
Her hair had a nice scent.
This scent is popular.