How do you say "to smell (something)" in Japanese?

匂いがする

nioi ga suru

Verb Kanji

In Japanese, "to smell (something)" is 匂いがする (nioi ga suru).

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Pronunciation

匂いがする is written using kanji. Romanised as nioi ga suru, it sounds roughly like "nee-oh-ee-gah-soo-roo" to an English ear.

Writing and usage

This phrase 匂いがする literally means the scent exists, using the noun 匂い (smell) with the auxiliary suru. Common in sensory description.

Example sentence

彼女は公園で匂いがします。

Kanojo wa kouen de nioi ga shimasu.

She to smell (something)s in the park.

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How to remember 匂いがする

A smell existing or present. Picture aromas floating through the air and reaching your nose.

Related words

Browse all Japanese words in the glossary.

See more Japanese verbs.

Questions about 匂いがする

How do you pronounce 匂いがする?

匂いがする is romanised as nioi ga suru. Say it roughly like "nee-oh-ee-gah-soo-roo" in English. Each Japanese syllable has even weight, so keep the rhythm steady.

Is 匂いがする formal or casual?

匂いがする is a neutral, everyday word that works in both casual and polite speech. The level of formality comes from the sentence structure around it, not from the word itself.

How is 匂いがする written in Japanese?

匂いがする is written using kanji. This phrase 匂いがする literally means the scent exists, using the noun 匂い (smell) with the auxiliary suru.

Where can I practice Japanese words for free?

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"To smell (something)" in other languages

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