How to say "smelly" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 臭いくさいi-adjectiveThe common word for something that stinks or smells bad — garbage, sweat, food that has gone off. Use it whenever you want to say that something smells.
- i-adjectiveA childish, colloquial variant of 臭い with the same basic sense of being smelly or stinky. Mostly heard from children or in very casual talk; 臭い is usually the word you want.
Both words cover the same sense, something that gives off a bad smell; 「臭い」 is the common word, while 「くちゃい」 is a childish colloquial variant, so 「臭い」 is normally the one to use.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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