匂い
nioi
The Japanese word for "smell" (as a sensation) is 匂い (nioi).
匂い refers to the sensation of smell. It is a neutral term used to describe an odor without inherently assigning it a positive or negative quality.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 匂い is a neutral term for a smell, the word 臭い (kusai) is used specifically to describe bad or stinky odors.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that a smell is present or that you notice a smell (e.g., "there is a smell"), you should use the phrase 匂いがする (nioi ga suru) rather than using the noun by itself.
How do you pronounce it?
nioi
Did you know?
- In ancient Japanese, the word 匂い referred to a visual radiance or a glowing color rather than a scent.
- The word 匂い is often used metaphorically in Japanese to describe the 'scent' or 'nuance' of a person's character or a particular atmosphere in a room.
- The distinction between the kanji for 'smell' and 'stink' is so important that using the wrong one in a text message can accidentally insult your interlocutor.
Examples in context
- これ何の匂い？What's this smell?This sentence shows how to ask what a specific smell is.Tatoeba #3798888 by tommy_san, translation #610369 by szaby78
- 匂いがいいね。I like the smell.This sentence is useful for expressing that you like a certain smell.Tatoeba #13082963 by small_snow, translation #12968697 by rul
- この変な匂いは何？What's that funny smell?This sentence shows how to ask about a strange smell.Tatoeba #10919729 by SomeHungryBois, translation #8493029 by Smoky
- 焼きたてのパンの匂いがする (やきたてのパンのにおいがする)I smell the aroma of freshly baked bread.
- ゴミ捨て場の臭いがする (ごみすてばのにおいがする)I smell the odor of a garbage dump.
- 体の臭い (からだのにおい)Body odor
- 33 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Yota are in the kitchen.
- 陽葵 Himariいい匂いがするね。ii nioi ga suru ne.It smells good, doesn't it?
- 陽太 Yotaカレーを作っているよ。karē o tsukutte iru yo.I'm making curry.
- 陽葵 Himari何の匂いかと思った。nan no nioi ka to omotta.I wondered what the smell was.
- 陽太 Yotaもうすぐできるよ。mōsugu dekiru yo.It'll be ready soon.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 匂い, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
