Translation and Meaning of: 臭い - kusai

The Japanese word 臭い (くさい) is a term that grabs attention due to its direct meaning and frequent use in everyday life. If you are studying Japanese or simply curious about the language, understanding how this word works can be useful for both conversations and interpreting cultural contexts. In this article, we will explore its meaning, origin, common uses, and even some curiosities that can help you remember it better.

臭い is one of those words that appears in various scenarios, from literal descriptions to more colloquial expressions. Whether to refer to a strong smell or to describe something suspicious, it plays an interesting role in the Japanese vocabulary. Let's dive into the details and discover how this word is perceived by native speakers.

Meaning and usage of 臭い

臭い, read as "kusai", has the primary meaning of "smelly" or "stinky". It is used to describe unpleasant odors, such as the smell of something rotten or dirty. However, its use goes beyond the literal sense. In Japan, it can also indicate that something seems suspicious or dubious, as in "くさい話" (suspicious story).

This flexibility allows the word to appear in different contexts. For example, when sensing a strange smell, a Japanese person might spontaneously say "くさい！". In a more informal conversation, someone might use the expression to express distrust about a situation, like "このやり方、くさいな" (this method seems suspicious). The word carries a negative tone, but its colloquial use makes it quite versatile.

Origin and writing in kanji

臭い is composed of the kanji 臭, which on its own already represents "odor" or "smell." This character is formed by the combination of 自 (oneself) and 犬 (dog), an ancient reference to the sharp sense of smell of dogs. The etymology suggests a connection to the idea of perceiving smells, whether good or bad, but over time, the term has specialized in describing mainly unpleasant odors.

It is worth noting that 臭い can also be written only in hiragana (くさい), especially in informal contexts or when the speaker wants to soften the expression. In contrast, the kanji reinforces the literal sense of "strong odor," while the figurative use (as in "suspicious") tends to appear more in spoken language or in manga and everyday dialogues.

Trivia and memorization tips

A simple way to remember the meaning of 臭い is to associate it with concrete situations. Imagine entering a place and saying "くさい！" when you smell something bad – this spontaneous reaction helps to remember the word. Another tip is to notice that the kanji 臭 contains 犬 (dog), which can serve as a clue for its meaning related to odors.

In Japan, 臭い also appears in idiomatic expressions and even in product names that combat bad odors, such as deodorants and sprays. An interesting fact is that, although it is a negative word, its figurative use in a joking tone among friends is common, especially among young people. This shows how the Japanese language takes seemingly simple terms to create nuances in everyday life.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 臭気 (shūki) - Unpleasant smell, harmful odor.
• 悪臭 (akushū) - Bad smell, fetid, usually associated with something rotten.
• 匂い (nioi) - Smell, aroma, can be both pleasant and unpleasant.
• 香り (kaori) - Aroma, perfume; generally a pleasant smell.
• 香気 (kōki) - Sense of a subtle and pleasant aroma, often spiritual.

臭い

Romaji: kusai
Kana: くさい
Type: adjective
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: smelly

Meaning in English: stinking

Definition: A smell emitted by a substance.

Example Sentences - (臭い) kusai

See below some example sentences:

生臭い魚は食べたくない。

Namagusai sakana wa tabetakunai

I don't want to eat fish with bad smell.

I don't want to eat fresh fish.

• 生臭い - shiokarai (strong, smelly smell)
• 魚 - sakana (fish)
• は - wa (topic particle)
• 食べたくない - tabetakunai (I don't want to eat)

この部屋は臭いです。

Kono heya wa kusai desu

This room smells bad.

This room smells.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 部屋 - noun that means "room" or "hall"
• は - particle indicating the topic of the sentence, in this case, "this room"
• 臭い - adjective meaning "smelly" or "stinky"
• です - verb to be in the polite form