Japanese

Noun

におい ‎(romaji nioi)

1. 臭い: bad odor
2. 匂い: good odor

Related terms

• におう: verb

Usage notes

The term におい (nioi) is used for both fragrant and offensive odour, while かおり (kaori) mainly for fragrance and くさみ (kusami) only for bad one. For the meaning of bad odor, におい (nioi) is often written in kanji "臭い", which can also read くさい (kusai), though "匂い" is easier kanji.