チーズの匂いがする
chīzu no nioi ga suru
The English phrase "you smell like cheese" is translated into Japanese as チーズの匂いがする (chīzu no nioi ga suru).
This phrase is used to inform someone that their body or clothing carries the scent of cheese. In Japanese, the subject あなた (you) is often omitted from this sentence because the context makes it clear who is being spoken to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase can be understood literally as "the smell of cheese exists" or "a smell of cheese occurs". The particle の functions like "of" in English, linking the noun チーズ (cheese) to the noun 匂い (smell).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that a specific scent is being perceived, the verb combination 匂いがする is used. The particle の is used here to link the noun チーズ to the noun 匂い.
How do you pronounce it?
chīzu no nioi ga suru
Did you know?
- Because Japanese culture places a high value on 'reading the air' (kuuki wo yomu), stating someone smells like cheese so directly can be seen as extremely blunt or even rude in a social setting.
- In Japanese, the word 匂い (nioi) is often used for pleasant or neutral scents, whereas 臭い (kusai) is used for unpleasant odors. If you use the latter, you are not just saying they smell like cheese, but that they smell bad.
- Japanese uses the same verb する in this phrase to describe not only smells but also tastes and sounds, treating them all as sensations that 'occur'.
Examples in context
- おい、チーズみたいなにおいするよ！Hey, you smell like cheese!
- 君はチーズの匂いがするね。Kimi wa chīzu no nioi ga suru ne.You smell like cheese.
- この服、チーズの匂いがする。Kono fuku, chīzu no nioi ga suru.This clothing smells like cheese.
- なんだかチーズの匂いがするよ。Nandaka chīzu no nioi ga suru yo.It smells like cheese somehow.
Example conversation
Hiroto and Misaki are hanging out in the living room.
- 大翔 Hiroto美咲、なんだかチーズの匂いがするよ。Misaki, nandaka chīzu no nioi ga suru yo.Misaki, you smell like cheese somehow.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？さっきピザを食べたからかも。Hontō? Sakki pizza o tabeta kara kamo.Really? Maybe it's because I ate pizza earlier.
- 大翔 Hirotoやっぱり。チーズの匂いがするね。Yappari. Chīzu no nioi ga suru ne.I thought so. You smell like cheese.
- 美咲 Misakiもう、変なこと言わないで！Mō, henna koto iwanaide!Geez, don't say such weird things!
