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道Nihongo Path
匂

匂·smell, scent

On-yomi
none
Kun-yomi
にお(う)にお(い)

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

4 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
匂いにおいsmell, scent
匂うにおうto smell (of something)
匂わせるにおわせるto hint at, to imply
匂い袋においぶくろscented sachet

Example sentences

  1. 台所からいい匂いがしてきた。

    だいどころからいいにおいがしてきた。

    A good smell came from the kitchen.

  2. 大臣は辞任を匂わせた。

    だいじんはじにんをにおわせた。

    The minister hinted at resigning.

Similar-looking kanji

Do not confuse these on the exam.

Common mistakes

  • 匂 is a Japanese-made kanji and has no on-reading
  • Writing 匂い for a bad smell — that should be 臭い

Memory aid

Picture it

The wrapping stroke 勹 curling around 匕: a scent that wraps itself around you.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5

What does the kanji 匂 mean?