How to say "smell" in Japanese

• 匂いにおいJLPT N4approx.Common
  nounThe everyday noun for a smell of any kind, pleasant or unpleasant; use it when simply naming what the nose detects, as in noticing a strange smell in the room.
  あの花はなはにおいが強つよいな。↗

  That flower has a powerful smell.
• 嗅ぐかぐJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe verb for the action of smelling: taking a scent in through the nose, often deliberately to check something, as when you sniff food to see whether it is still fresh.
  犬いぬは見知みしらぬ人ひとの匂においをかいだ。↗

  The dog sniffed at the stranger.
• 匂うにおうJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe verb for something giving off a scent, typically a pleasant one; it covers 'smell' in the sense of 'the flowers smell lovely'. The smell is emitted by the thing itself.
• 香りかおりJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe noun for a smell you find appealing: an aroma or fragrance. Choose it over 匂い when the scent is pleasant, such as flowers in bloom or fresh coffee.
  そのバラはよい香かおりを発散はっさんした。↗

  The roses gave off a nice smell.

For the noun, pick neutral 「匂い」 or, when the smell is pleasant, 「香り」; for verbs, 「嗅ぐ」 is the act of smelling with the nose, while 「匂う」 says something gives off a typically pleasant scent.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 匂いにおいsmell
• 嗅ぐかぐto sniff
• 匂うにおうto be fragrant
• 香りかおりaroma
• 香かsmell (esp. a good smell)
• 嗅ぎ取るかぎとるto smell
• スメルsmell
• 匂いがするにおいがするto smell
• 香りがするかおりがするto smell
• オイニーsmell
• 感づくかんづくto sense
• 聞くきくto smell (esp. incense)