Japanese word

カビ

Pronunciation

Romajikabi

Meaning

  • nounmold

Example

壁のカビをきれいに取りました。kabe no ka bi o ki re i ni to ri ma shi ta

I cleaned the mold off the wall.

Illustration for カビ (mold)

More examples

古い本からカビのにおいがしました。furu i hon ka ra ka bi no ni o i ga shi ma shi ta

The old book smelled of mold.

Core concept

Refers to the visible fungus that develops when moisture remains on a surface.

Common phrases

  • カビが生えるka bi ga ha e ru

    grow mold

  • カビを取り除くka bi o to ri nozo ku

    remove mold

  • カビのにおいka bi no ni o i

    smell of mold

Definition in Japanese

湿気によって物の表面などに広がる菌類のかたまり。shik ke ni yo tte mono no hyō men na do ni hiro ga ru kin rui no ka ta ma ri

Word origin

カビ (kabi) is a native Japanese noun for mold or mildew, and its traditional written form is 黴 (bai, "mold").

Usage tips

  • The English word mildew often describes surface growth on fabric, walls, or plants, but Japanese カビ (kabi) includes this sense as well as the broader sense of mold.

Other meanings

  • mildewnoun

Related words

  • カビ臭さkabikusasamoldy smellnoun

Word lists with this word