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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

匂う

臭う

Reading

Kana: におう
Romaji: niou
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

v5u
vi
1

to be fragrant; to smell (good)

Note: usu. 匂う
2

to stink; to smell (bad)

Note: usu. 臭う
3

to glow; to be bright

4

to smack of; to show hints of

Kanji

匂
Readings: にお.う、 にお.い、 にお.わせる
Meanings: fragrant, stink, glow, insinuate, (kokuji)
臭
Readings: シュウ、 くさ.い、 -くさ.い、 にお.う、 にお.い
Meanings: stinking, ill-smelling, suspicious looking, odor, savor, fragrance, be fragrant, stink, glow, be bright

Example Sentence

春(はる)になれば花(はな)が甘(あま)く咲(さ)き匂(にお)う。
➥When spring sets in, the flowers smell sweet.
Full Entry➤