嗅ぐ
kagu[ka̠ɡɯ̟]
The Japanese word for smell is 嗅ぐ (kagu).
While 嗅ぐ is the verb for the action, the most common and versatile noun for 'smell' itself is におい. You can modify this noun to describe the quality of the scent, such as using いいにおい for a 'good smell', 悪いにおい for a 'bad smell' or 強いにおい for a 'strong smell'.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
嗅ぐ is a verb that leans towards being transitive, meaning it is used to describe the act of smelling or sniffing an object. The standard way to express the action of smelling something is the phrase 匂いを嗅ぐ. To compare two different smells, you can use the structure AのにおいとBのにおいを比べる.
How do you pronounce it?
kagu
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific term においづけ which refers to the traditional art of scenting clothes or letters with incense.
- The expression 鼻をつく (hana o tsuku), which literally means 'to poke the nose', is a common way to describe a smell that is sharp or stinging.
- The word におい is written with different kanji depending on the scent. 匂い is used for pleasant fragrances and 臭い is used for unpleasant stenches.
Examples in context
- 魚の臭いを嗅ぐと胸が悪くなる。The smell of raw fish nauseates me.This sentence shows the effect of the smell of raw fish using 嗅ぐ.Tatoeba #11263437 by small_snow, translation #7766986 by AlanF_US
- 彼は納豆の匂いを嗅ぐと気分が悪くなる。The smell of fermented soybeans sickens him.This sentence shows the effect of the smell of fermented soybeans using 嗅ぐ.Tatoeba #2364109 by tommy_san, translation #2354297 by orcrist
- ワキガの臭いを嗅ぐSmell armpit odorThis sentence demonstrates the action of smelling armpit odor using 嗅ぐ.
- あの花のにおいがとても良いです。The scent of that flower is very pleasant.
- なんかいい匂いがしてくるよ。I smell something good.
- 友達の新しい香水をかいだ。I smelled my friend's new perfume.
- りんごのにおいとオレンジのにおいを比べる。To compare the smell of an apple and an orange.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hiyori and Daigaku are in the kitchen with some flowers.
- 陽葵 Himariこの花、いい匂い！大翔も嗅ぐ？Kono hana, ii nioi! Daigaku mo kagu?These flowers smell great! Do you want to smell them too, Daigaku?
- 大翔 Hirotoいいよ。ちょっと嗅いでみるね。Ii yo. Chotto kaide miru ne.Sure. I'll give them a smell.
- 陽葵 Himariどう？すごくいい香りでしょ？Dou? Sugoku ii kaori desho?How is it? It's a wonderful scent, right?
- 大翔 Hiroto本当だ。いい匂いを嗅ぐと落ち着くよ。Hontou da. Ii nioi o kagu to ochitsuku yo.You're right. Smelling a nice scent is relaxing.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 嗅ぐ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
