發臭 / 发臭
fāchòu
The English phrase "stink" is translated into Chinese as 發臭 / 发臭 (fāchòu). If unsure, use 發臭 / 发臭. Wiktionary also lists 發臭味 / 发臭味 (fā chòuwèi) and 發惡臭 / 发恶臭 (fā èchòu).
Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)
Ways to say it
| Chinese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 發臭 / 发臭 | fāchòu |
| 發臭味 / 发臭味 | fā chòuwèi |
| 發惡臭 / 发恶臭 | fā èchòu |
This verb is used to describe the act of having a strong bad smell.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb 發臭 / 发臭 is composed of 發 (to emit/produce) and 臭 (stink/smell).
Which one should you use?
發臭味 / 发臭味 is slightly more descriptive and less visceral than 發臭 / 发臭, as it explicitly includes the word 味 (smell/flavor/odor). 發惡臭 / 发恶臭 is a stronger, more intense version of 發臭 / 发臭, emphasizing that the smell is particularly revolting or disgusting.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 了 after 發臭 / 发臭 indicates a change of state, such as food that has gone bad and started to stink.
How do you pronounce it?
fāchòu
Did you know?
- In some regional dialects, the term 臭 /chòu can be used affectionately or teasingly between close friends or lovers. It acts similarly to how 'stinky' might be used for a cute child in English.
- While 臭 usually means 'stink' or 'smelly' in a bad way, it can describe something fragrant in ancient Chinese texts. In classical literature, it was sometimes used as a general term for any strong scent.
- The word 臭 is a radical in Chinese characters. When it appears in other words, it often relates to smells, such as in the word for 'fragrance' 香, which serves as its opposite.
Examples in context
- 这个垃圾堆真 臭 ！This garbage pile really stinks!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stink” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
