1. Overview of Meaning
The kanji “臭” (pronounced “shuu” in Japanese) means “smell” or “odor.” It can refer to both pleasant and unpleasant scents, but it is often associated with bad smells.
2. Formation and Radical
The kanji “臭” is a phono-semantic compound (形声文字), which means it combines a phonetic component with a semantic component. The left part, “匚,” suggests a container or box, while the right part, “臭,” indicates the meaning related to smell.
The radical for “臭” is “匂” (which also relates to smell), and it is often used in kanji associated with scents.
3. Examples of Usage
Common words and phrases that include “臭” are:
- 臭い (におい, “nioi”) – smell, odor
- 臭気 (しゅうき, “shuuki”) – foul smell
- 悪臭 (あくしゅう, “akushuu”) – bad odor
Example sentences in daily conversation:
- この魚は臭いです。 (このさかなはにおいです。) – This fish smells.
- 部屋に悪臭がします。 (へやにあくしゅうがします。) – There is a bad odor in the room.
4. Synonyms and Antonyms
Similar kanji with related meanings include:
- 香 (こう, “kou”) – fragrance, scent (usually pleasant)
- 匂 (におい, “nioi”) – smell, which can be neutral or pleasant.
Antonyms include:
- 清 (せい, “sei”) – clean, pure (often used to describe a lack of bad smells).
5. Cultural and Historical Background
The kanji “臭” has cultural significance in Japan, often appearing in literature and poetry to describe nature and human experiences. It is also used in various proverbs and idiomatic expressions.
For example, the phrase “臭いものに蓋をする” (においものにふたをする) translates to “put a lid on smelly things,” which means to avoid dealing with unpleasant issues.