Korean word

악취

Pronunciation

Romanizationakchwi

Meaning

  • nounbad smell

Example

쓰레기장에서 악취가 났다.sseu re gi jang e seo ak chwi ga nat tta

There was a bad smell at the garbage dump.

Illustration for 악취 (bad smell)

More examples

하수구에서 악취가 나서 창문을 닫았다.ha su gu e seo ak chwi ga na seo chang mu neul ta dat tta

I closed the window because there was a bad smell coming from the drain.

Core concept

A foul odor spreading from something rotten, burned, or otherwise unpleasant.

Common phrases

  • 악취가 나다ak chwi ga na da

    have a bad smell

  • 악취를 풍기다ak chwi reul pung gi da

    give off a bad smell

  • 악취가 심하다ak chwi ga sim ha da

    have a strong bad smell

Similar words

냄새naemsae: Any odor noticed through the nose, whether pleasant or unpleasant.
불쾌한 냄새pulkwaehan naemsae: An odor that causes discomfort or dislike when smelled.
역겨운 냄새yeokkkyeoun naemsae: An intensely unpleasant odor that is difficult to bear.
썩은 냄새sseogeun naemsae: An odor released by something that has decayed, such as spoiled food.

Definition in Korean

썩거나 타는 등 아주 불쾌한 냄새를 가리키는 명사.sseok kkeo na ta neun teung a ju pul kwae han naem sae reul ka ri ki neun myeong sa

Word origin

Its Sino-Korean components mean bad and smell, so the compound describes an odor judged clearly unpleasant.

Usage tips

  • The word usually describes odor from a place or thing, so applying it directly to a person can sound blunt or insulting.

Other meanings

  • foul odornoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 악취제거제akchwijegeojeodor removernoun
  • 악취방지akchwibangjiodor preventionnoun

Word lists with this word