臭み・臭味|くさみkusami[3]odaka (tail-high)

Common
Which spelling to use
臭み臭み is the most common spelling and the recommended choice for beginners; use it for the senses “bad smell,” “affectation,” and “fulness.”
臭味臭味 is a less common variant written entirely in kanji; readers may encounter it, but beginners should choose 臭み instead.
Definitions
  1. nounbad smell
    It's very easy to drink potato shochu now that the potato-like smell has been reduced to a low level through use of the latest biotechnology.
  2. nounaffectation; fulsomeness
Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym異臭いしゅうNeutralAn abnormal, foul smell that shouldn't be there — a stench. 「臭み」 usually points to the fishy or gamey odor of fish and meat, or to affectation in manner or style.
  • Synonym臭味しゅうみWrittenAnother way of writing 「臭み」; read 「しゅうみ」, it means a bad smell or stink. It belongs to written prose and is used less often.
  • Related香りかおりNeutralThe antonym of 「臭み」: a pleasant aroma. It is the direct opposite of an unpleasant smell.
  • Antonym香りかおりNeutralThe antonym of 「臭み」: a pleasant aroma. It is the direct opposite of an unpleasant smell.
  • Antonym芳香ほうこうWrittenThe formal antonym: a sweet fragrance. It stands opposite to the foul smell of 「臭み」.

Use 「臭み」 for unpleasant odors such as the fishy or gamey smell of fish and meat, and for affectation in speech or writing, as in 「魚の臭みを取る」 and 「臭みのない文章」. For a strange, foul smell say 「異臭」; the opposites are 「香り」 and 「芳香」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. いやなにおい。くさみ。
  2. 身みに付ついた良よくない気風きふうや気分きぶん。
Kanji in this word

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