匂(にお)い

におい

noun

smell, scent

1. smell, scent, odor

Something perceived by the nose. Can be pleasant or unpleasant depending on context.

いい匂(にお)いがします。

It smells good.

がする = to perceive a smell

この花(はな)の匂(にお)いが好(す)きです。

I like the smell of this flower.

変(へん)な匂(にお)いがしますね。

There's a strange smell, isn't there?

台所(だいどころ)から料理(りょうり)のいい匂(にお)いがしてきました。

A nice smell of cooking came from the kitchen.

雨(あめ)の後(あと)の土(つち)の匂(にお)いがとても好(す)きなので、雨(あめ)が止(や)んだら外(そと)に出(で)たくなります。

I really like the smell of earth after rain, so when the rain stops I want to go outside.

匂(にお)い refers to smells perceived by the nose, and can describe both pleasant and unpleasant odors.

COMMON PATTERNS:

匂(にお)いがする: to smell (of something), to have a smell
いい匂(にお)いがする: to smell good
変(へん)な匂(にお)いがする: to smell strange
匂(にお)いを嗅(か)ぐ: to smell (actively sniff)
匂(にお)いがしてくる: a smell comes wafting over

KANJI VARIANTS:

匂(にお)い: neutral, can be good or bad
臭(にお)い: often implies a bad smell

SIMILAR WORDS:

香(かお)り: fragrance, pleasant scent (flowers, perfume)
臭(くさ)さ: stench, foul odor (always negative)
香(こう): incense; fragrance (literary)

RELATED VERB:

匂(にお)う: to smell, to give off a scent

Related Words

Related: 匂(にお)う (to give off a smell (verb))

Related: 嗅(か)ぐ (to smell (active sniffing))

core

Added 2026.1.7 21:10 · Revised 2026.5.18 8:15

00500/00874_nioi