How to say "sniff" in Japanese

• 嗅ぐかぐJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe usual verb for sniffing in order to smell something, such as a scent, food, or flower; it covers both 'sniff' and 'smell' in this deliberate sense.
  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.
• スニフ
  nounNot a translation of the verb 'sniff' at all; this is the name of the Moomin character Sniff, so it only appears in reference to that series.
• すする
  godan verb, transitive verbCovers sniffling, drawing liquid or mucus into the nose or mouth audibly; for the sniffle sense of 'sniff' it is the natural choice, though normally written in kana.
• 鼻を鳴らすはなをならす
  expression, godan verbLiterally 'to make one's nose sound'; it describes snorting or sniffing audibly, often to hold back tears or express emotion, rather than sniffing to smell something.

Use 「嗅ぐ」 for actively sniffing to smell something, 「すする」 for sniffling mucus, 「鼻を鳴らす」 for sniffing or snorting audibly through the nose, and 「スニフ」 only for the Moomin character.

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

• 嗅ぐかぐto sniff
• スニフSniff (Moomin)
• すするto sniffle
• 鼻を鳴らすはなをならすto snort