くさい
kusai
In Japanese, "you're stinky" is expressed as くさい (kusai).
The word くさい is used to tell someone that they smell bad. Beyond its literal sense, it can also be used figuratively to mean that a situation or a story "smells fishy" or seems suspicious.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word くさい is very blunt and informal. When used to address someone, it is often used among close friends or children in a teasing or rude manner. The form くさいよ is an informal way to say you're stinky.
How does it change in a sentence?
くさい is an i-adjective. This means it can be used directly after a noun to describe it, such as kusai nioi (a stinky smell).
How do you pronounce it?
kusai
Did you know?
- The word くさい shares a linguistic root with くそ, the common Japanese swear word for 'shit'.
- Calling a romantic gesture くさい is the Japanese equivalent of calling it 'cheesy' or 'corny'.
- Because くさい is so blunt, Japanese speakers often avoid pointing it at a person directly. Instead, they will politely shift the subject to the 'air' or the 'smell' itself to save face.
Examples in context
- あれ？何か臭いな。お前くさいよ。Hmm? Something smells. You're stinky, man.
Example conversation
Hiyori notices Daigaku's smell after he plays sports.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔、くさい！Daigaku, kusai!Daigaku, you're stinky!
- 大翔 Hirotoえっ、本当に？e, hontou ni?What, really?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、早くお風呂に入って。un, hayaku ofuro ni haitte.Yeah, go take a bath quickly.
- 大翔 Hirotoわかったよ。wakatta yo.I got it.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries くさい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
