How to say "whiff" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 一吹きひとふきnounCovers the physical sense: a single brief burst of air, a puff or gust, as when smoke drifts past. It is the less common of the two; for the smell itself, use 匂い.
- 匂いにおいnounCovers whiff as a smell itself, and figuratively a hint or trace of something, as in a whiff of scandal. This is the common word, and the one you want for a scent or hint.
Use 「一吹き」 for a whiff as a brief physical movement of air — a puff, blast or gust — and 「匂い」 for a whiff as a smell itself or, figuratively, a faint hint or trace of something.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
