Translation guide
How to express that something has a particular smell, or that a smell is coming from something, in natural Japanese.
To say that something smells like a particular thing (e.g., flowers, smoke, fish).
The most common and neutral way to say 'smells of N' or 'has the smell of N'. N is a noun. におい can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant smells, but is slightly more associated with unpleasant ones in some contexts.
この部屋はタバコのにおいがする。
This room smells of cigarettes.
彼女はいつも花のにおいがする。
She always smells of flowers.
Used for pleasant smells, like flowers, perfume, or food. 香り implies a nice fragrance.
このお茶はジャスミンの香りがする。
This tea smells of jasmine.
庭からバラの香りがする。
The garden smells of roses.
Specifically for bad smells. The kanji 臭い emphasizes an unpleasant odor. The reading is the same as におい, but the nuance is negative.
冷蔵庫から腐った臭いがする。
The fridge smells of something rotten.
An adjective suffix meaning 'smelling of N', often for strong or unpleasant smells. Attaches directly to nouns. Can also be used metaphorically (e.g., バターくさい 'buttery' or 'reeking of butter').
この牛乳、ちょっとすっぱくさいよ。
This milk smells a bit sour.
犬が濡れて犬くさい。
The dog is wet and smells of dog.
To say that something is releasing a smell into the air.
Literally 'to emit the smell of N'. More literary or dramatic than においがする. Often used in written descriptions.
その花は甘い香りを放っていた。
The flower was giving off a sweet smell.
Means 'the smell of N hangs in the air' or 'drifts'. Used for smells that linger.
台所からカレーのにおいが漂ってきた。
The smell of curry drifted from the kitchen.
To express the action of smelling something intentionally or perceiving a smell.
The standard verb for 'to smell something' or 'to sniff'. Use を嗅ぐ with the object being smelled.
彼はワインの香りを嗅いだ。
He smelled the aroma of the wine.
犬が地面のにおいを嗅いでいる。
The dog is smelling the ground.
Idiomatic expression meaning 'the smell of N gets up your nose' or 'is irritatingly noticeable'. Used for strong, often unpleasant smells.
魚のにおいが鼻について、食欲がなくなった。
The smell of fish got up my nose and I lost my appetite.
におい is the general word for smell, neutral but often slightly negative. 香り is specifically a pleasant fragrance (flowers, perfume, tea). 臭い (noun) or the suffix ～くさい refers to bad smells. In casual speech, におい is safe for most situations.
この石鹸はいいにおいがする。
This soap smells good.
この石鹸はいい香りがする。
This soap has a nice fragrance.
English 'smells of N' cannot be directly translated as 'Nのにおい' alone. You need a verb like する. Saying 'この部屋はタバコのにおい' is incomplete; use 'タバコのにおいがする'.
この部屋はタバコのにおいがする。
This room smells of cigarettes.
この部屋はタバコのにおいがする。
This room smells of cigarettes.