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
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Added 2026.1.7 21:10 · Revised 2026.2.19 11:19
00500/00874_nioi