taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
vulgar; lacking class; of low taste
Literary, somewhat old-fashioned expression describing a person or atmosphere that reeks of vulgarity or low taste. Often used in the adverbial form 俗気芬々と.
I was put off by his vulgar, tasteless behavior.
The interior of that shop was so gaudy and lacking in class that I couldn't relax.
Standard kanji spelling for this literary expression.
Variant spelling using 芬芬 instead of 芬々; both are used.
A yojijukugo (four-character compound) combining 俗気 (vulgarity, worldly air) and 芬々 (strongly fragrant, often used for unpleasant smells), literally 'reeking of vulgarity'. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it follows a classical Chinese-derived pattern.