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青臭い (あおくさい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Freq. Frequency Top 50,000 Conjugation Meanings 1
i-adjective
inexperienced ; immature ; green ; naive
Describes a person, idea, or behavior that is youthful, inexperienced, or lacking sophistication. Often carries a slightly critical or dismissive tone.
青あお 臭くさ い 理り 想そう 論ろん ばかり 言い っ て い て も 仕し 方かた が ない 。
There's no point in just spouting naive idealism.
2
i-adjective
grassy-smelling ; smelling of raw vegetation
Refers to the raw, green smell of freshly cut grass, unripe fruit, or crushed leaves. Can also describe the odor of certain vegetables.
Written forms 青あお 臭くさ い Usage 65%
青あお くさい Usage 34%
Mixed kanji-kana spelling; less common but still used.
あおくさい Usage 1%
Kanji 臭 stinking, ill-smelling, suspicious looking Similar words 未み 熟じゅく 未熟 is a more formal, objective term for 'immature' or 'unskilled', while 青臭い is more colloquial and often implies youthful naivety.
若わか 々わか しい 若々しい has a positive nuance of 'youthful' and 'vigorous', whereas 青臭い is negative or critical about inexperience.
Etymology Compound of 青 (あお, 'green, unripe') and 臭い (くさい, 'smelling'). The literal meaning 'smelling of green vegetation' extended metaphorically to describe inexperienced, immature people or ideas.
