English–Japanese

“smell” in Japanese

Japanese

Also嗅ぐ (kagu)

Romajinioi

部屋に変な匂いがします。heya ni hen na nio i ga shi ma su

There is a strange smell in the room.

“Smell” in Japanese is 匂い (nioi).

Describes a noticeable quality carried through the air that the nose detects, whether pleasant or unpleasant.

この花は匂いがいいです。ko no hana wa nio i ga i i de su

This flower has a nice smell.

焼きたてのパンから匂いが漂っています。ya ki ta te no pa n ka ra nio i ga tadayo tte i ma su

The smell of freshly baked bread is wafting through the air.

In everyday Japanese, 匂い (nioi) can be neutral or pleasant, while 臭い (kusai) more clearly points to an unpleasant smell.

kagu

verbsmell

この花を嗅ぎます。ko no hana o ka gi ma su

I smell this flower.