Japanese word

香ばしい

Pronunciation

Romajikōbashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivearomatic

Example

焼きたてのパンは香ばしいです。ya ki ta te no pa n wa kō ba shi i de su

Freshly baked bread has a rich aroma.

Illustration for 香ばしい (aromatic)

More examples

炒った豆から香ばしい香りが漂います。i tta mame ka ra kō ba shi i kao ri ga tadayo i ma su

The roasted beans give off a fragrant aroma.

Core concept

Points to a warm, appetizing fragrance associated especially with food that has been roasted, toasted, or browned.

Common phrases

  • 香ばしい風味kō ba shi i fū mi

    roasted flavor

  • 香ばしく焼けるkō ba shi ku ya ke ru

    be grilled until fragrant

  • 香ばしい匂いkō ba shi i nio i

    fragrant smell

Similar words

香り高いkaoritakai: Describes a rich and pleasant aroma, often associated with carefully prepared food or drink.
かぐわしいkaguwashii: Describes a sweet or pleasant fragrance, with a somewhat literary tone.

Definition in Japanese

焼いた食べ物などから漂う、香りがよく食欲をそそるさま。ya i ta ta be mono na do ka ra tadayo u kao ri ga yo ku shoku yoku o so so ru sa ma

Word origin

The native Japanese adjective 香ばしい (kōbashii) combines 香 (kō, "fragrance") with the adjectival element ばしい (bashii), expressing a pleasing quality of smell.

Usage tips

  • When speakers use 香ばしい (kōbashii) about a nonfood topic, the word often carries playful skepticism, so context determines whether it describes a smell or comments on credibility.

Other meanings

  • fragranti-adjective
  • appetizingi-adjective

Related words

  • 香ばしさkōbashisaroasted flavornoun

Word lists with this word