臭(くさ)い

くさい
adjective (i-adjective)
smelly, stinky
1. smelly, stinky, bad-smelling
Having an unpleasant odor.
このゴミは臭(くさ)いですね。
This garbage smells bad, doesn't it?
靴下(くつした)が臭(くさ)い！
The socks stink!
冷蔵庫(れいぞうこ)を開(あ)けたら、臭(くさ)いにおいがした。何(なに)か腐(くさ)っていたみたい。
When I opened the fridge, there was a bad smell. Something seems to have gone bad.
汗(あせ)臭(くさ)いから着替(きが)えたい。
I smell like sweat, so I want to change clothes.
この部屋(へや)、タバコ臭(くさ)いね。
This room smells like cigarettes.
2. suspicious, fishy
In figurative usage, means something seems suspicious or questionable.
あの話(はなし)は臭(くさ)いと思(おも)う。
I think that story is fishy.
Figurative meaning: suspicious
あいつの説明(せつめい)は嘘(うそ)臭(くさ)い。本当(ほんとう)のことを言(い)っていないと思(おも)う。
His explanation sounds like a lie. I don't think he's telling the truth.
嘘臭い = seems like a lie
あの取引(とりひき)は臭(くさ)いと思(おも)わない？
Don't you think that deal is fishy?
なんか臭(くさ)い話(はなし)だな。
That sounds like a shady story.
犯人(はんにん)臭(くさ)い人(ひと)を見(み)た。
I saw someone who looked like the culprit.

臭(くさ)い is an i-adjective meaning "smelly" or figuratively "suspicious."

FORMS:

  • Negative: 臭(くさ)くない
  • Past: 臭(くさ)かった
  • Te-form: 臭(くさ)くて

AS A SUFFIX (〜くさい):

Attaches to nouns to mean "smelling of" or "seems like":

  • 汗(あせ)臭(くさ)い: smelling of sweat
  • タバコ臭(くさ)い: smelling of cigarettes
  • 嘘(うそ)臭(くさ)い: seems like a lie
  • 犯人(はんにん)臭(くさ)い: suspicious (like the culprit)

RELATED:

  • におい/匂(にお)い: smell, odor (neutral)
  • 臭(にお)い: smell (often negative, same kanji)
  • 香(かお)り: fragrance (pleasant)
core
Added 2026.1.7 21:04 · Revised 2026.3.5 22:53
01000/01133_kusai