Translation guide
The English word "smell" can be a noun or a verb, and covers both the sense of smell and the act of perceiving odors. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether the smell is pleasant or unpleasant, and whether you are talking about the sense itself, the act of smelling, or a specific odor.
Referring to a smell or odor in a neutral or positive sense, such as the smell of flowers or food.
The most common word for a smell, often used for pleasant or neutral smells like food, flowers, or perfume. Can also be used for faint unpleasant smells in some contexts.
この花はいい匂いがする。
This flower smells good.
カレーの匂いがしてきた。
I can smell curry.
A more elegant or literary word for a pleasant smell, often used for fragrances, incense, or the aroma of tea and coffee.
お茶の香りが部屋に広がった。
The aroma of tea filled the room.
This kanji is used specifically for bad smells, but the reading is the same as 匂い. In writing, it distinguishes unpleasant odors.
In spoken Japanese, におい can refer to both good and bad smells depending on context. The kanji 臭い is used in writing to specify a bad smell.
生ゴミの臭いがする。
There's a smell of garbage.
Referring to an unpleasant or offensive odor.
A formal or strong word for a bad smell, stench, or stink. Often used in news or complaints.
工場から悪臭が漂ってくる。
A foul smell is drifting from the factory.
Refers to an unpleasant smell, often from food (like fish or meat) or body odor. Implies a strong, lingering smell.
A strange or unusual smell, often implying something is wrong or suspicious.
Referring to the ability to perceive odors.
The act of intentionally smelling something, like sniffing a flower or smelling food.
The standard verb for actively smelling or sniffing something.
花の匂いを嗅いでみた。
I tried smelling the flower.
犬が地面を嗅いでいる。
The dog is sniffing the ground.
Describing that something emits a smell, without specifying who is smelling it.
The most common way to say something smells like something. Literally "does the smell of ~." Used for both pleasant and unpleasant smells.
この部屋はタバコの匂いがする。
This room smells of cigarettes.
彼女はいつもいい匂いがする。
She always smells nice.
Used specifically for pleasant smells, like fragrances or aromas. More elegant than 匂い.
この紅茶は柑橘系の香りがする。
This tea has a citrusy aroma.
A suffix attached to nouns to mean "smells like ~," often with a negative connotation. Can also be used metaphorically.
Using 臭い as a suffix can sound blunt or rude if not careful. It often implies an unpleasant smell.
この牛乳、ちょっと酸っぱ臭いよ。
This milk smells a bit sour.
彼の言い訳はどうも嘘臭い。
His excuse smells fishy (seems like a lie).
Specifically saying that something has a bad smell.
匂い (におい) is the general word for smell, neutral or positive. 香り (かおり) is exclusively for pleasant, often elegant smells. 臭い (におい, written with this kanji) or 悪臭 (あくしゅう) are for bad smells. In speech, におい can be ambiguous, so context or adjectives like いい匂い (good smell) or 変な匂い (strange smell) clarify.
いい匂い vs. 臭い匂い
good smell vs. bad smell
嗅ぐ (かぐ) means to actively sniff. To say something smells a certain way, use 〜の匂いがする, not 嗅ぐ.
✕ この花は嗅ぐ。
Incorrect: This flower smells.
○ この花はいい匂いがする。
Correct: This flower smells good.
風邪で鼻が詰まって、匂いがわからない。
I can't smell anything because I have a cold.
この香水はバラの香りがする。
This perfume smells like roses.
この肉は臭みがある。
This meat has a strong smell.
There's a strange smell coming from the kitchen.
彼は鼻が利くから、ワインの香りをよく当てる。
He has a good nose, so he can identify wine aromas well.
This cheese smells bad but tastes good.