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Kotomora

匂

fragrant, stink, glow, insinuate, (kokuji)

StatusJōyō · secondary schoolFrequencyTop 5,000Strokes4

Readings

On'yomi

—

Kun'yomi

  • にお.う
  • にお.い
  • にお.わせる

Nanori

  • おり
  • こう
  • さぎ

Meaning

匂 centers on a scent or aura that emanates from something: a fragrance, a stink, or a metaphorical glow or hint that spreads outward.

Most common words using 匂

  • 匂いにおい
    N4

    smell; scent; odour; odor; stench

  • 匂うにおう
    N3

    to be fragrant; to smell (good)

  • 匂わすにおわす

    to give off (a smell, scent, aroma); to smell of; to perfume (a room, etc.)

  • 匂いがするにおいがする

    to smell; to smell of; to have a smell

  • 匂いやかにおいやか

    sweet-scented

  • 匂い油においあぶら

    perfumed hair oil

  • 匂い立つにおいたつ

    to be fragrant; to give out a smell; to be enveloped in a smell

  • 匂い菖蒲においしょうぶ

    fragrant iris; sweet flag; orris

  • 匂い袋においぶくろ

    scent bag; sachet

  • 匂やかにおやか

    sweet-scented

  • 匂わせるにおわせる

    to give off (a smell, scent, aroma); to smell of; to perfume (a room, etc.)

  • 匂わせ女におわせおんな

    woman who hints at having a boyfriend (on social media)

  • 匂桜においざくら

    cherry tree with fragrant flowers

  • 匂菫においすみれ

    sweet violet (Viola odorata)

  • 咲き匂うさきにおう

    to be in beautiful full bloom

Explore all words using 匂 →

Study

Etymology

匂 is a kokuji (Japanese-made kanji) that combines the wrapping enclosure 勹 with 匕, likely to represent a scent or aura that envelops or emanates.

Meaning mnemonic

The outer 勹 wraps around the inner 匕 like a scent wrapping around a person. Imagine a fragrant aroma curling out from a container.

Reading mnemonic

For にお, picture a fragrant flower with a strong scent that makes you say 'knee-oh!' as you bend down to smell it: knee-oh -> にお.