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臭 — pronunciations, definitions, and tags
HanziPinyinEnglishTags
臭chòustenchHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòusense of smellHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòustinkHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòusmell badHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòusmellyHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuto smell (bad)HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuto reek, to smell, to stinkHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòurepulsiveHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuloathsomeHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuterribleHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòubadHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuseverelyHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòuruthlesslyHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭chòudud (ammunition)HSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùstenchHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùsense of smellHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùstinkHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùsmell badHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùsmellyHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùto smell (bad)HSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùto reek, to smell, to stinkHSK 5, a, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùrepulsiveHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùloathsomeHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùterribleHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùbadHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùseverelyHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùruthlesslyHSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
臭xiùdud (ammunition)HSK 5, unknown, 10 strokes, radical 自, rank #1169, Hard
chòu(chou4)
primary
 T4
  1. 1stench
  2. 2sense of smell
Listen to the audio pronunciation 3 times to gain XP
March 24, 2026

臭chòu(chou4)

The character 臭 (chòu) primarily denotes an unpleasant smell or stench. It can be used to describe bad odors in various contexts, from food to unpleasant environments. Additionally, it can convey strong negative feelings or judgments about something or someone.

Strokes10Radical自Frequency#1169DifficultyHard
Cultural Note

In Chinese cuisine, certain foods are intentionally fermented or aged to develop strong odors, which can be appreciated culturally, contrasting with a more universally negative view of bad smells in many Western cultures.

Memory Tip

Imagine a skunk (known for its stink) with a big 'chou' sign on its back, reminding you that 'chòu' means bad smell. The character 臭 has a 'nose' radical (匕) at the bottom, hinting at its connection to smell.

Meanings of 臭

chòu(chou4)
primary
1stench
2sense of smell
Exercise 1 of 3

Listen & Choose the Meaning

Choose the correct answer:

About 臭

臭Simplified
10Strokes
自Radical
形容词xíngróngcíadjective (adj.)Part of Speech
#1169Frequency Rank
HSK 2.0L5HSK 3.0L5IntermediateTOCFLL5HSKKL3CEFRB2

Podcast: 臭

JasonAmy

Podcast: 臭

Listen to Jason & Amy break down this word for you

AI Study Notes for 臭

Quick Contrast

臭 (chòu) vs 难闻 (nánwén) — use 臭 for a stronger, more negative connotation compared to 难闻, which is more neutral.

Usage Notes

Learners often confuse 臭 with the more neutral word for 'smell' (味, wèi). Use 臭 in informal contexts to describe something truly unpleasant, while maintaining awareness of its strong negative connotation. Be cautious with the tone; a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely.

HSK Study Tips

As an HSK Level 5 word, 臭 connects well with other vocabulary relating to the senses (like 感觉, gǎnjué for 'feeling'). Students should focus on recognizing its usage in idiomatic expressions and its antonyms, which often appear in advanced texts.

Common Mistakes

Learners often confuse 臭 (chòu) with 香 (xiāng), which means fragrant or good-smelling. A common error is saying '这东西很臭' (zhè dōngxī hěn chòu) without realizing the strong negative implication it carries, which should only be used for genuinely bad smells.

AI-enhanced 2026-03-24

Pronunciation of 臭

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Etymology of 臭

Formation TypeIdeographic 指事
六书 ClassificationIdeograph (指事字)~2% of characters
Memory Hint

The smell 自 of a dirty dog 犬

Learn more about Ideograph (指事字) characters

Jason Etymology Detective

Case file: 臭

  1. 1The giveawayThe smell 自 of a dirty dog 犬
  2. 2On the record asideographic — someone drew an idea rather than an object.

Every clue here comes from the character's recorded structure — nothing is guessed.

Want the full history of 臭? Jason searches the paleographic record, weighs the competing accounts and judges the popular story.

Charged once for this character — everyone reads it afterwards.
Exercise 1 of 1

Character Formation Type

What type of character formation is 臭?

Decomposition of 臭

IDS Structure⿱自犬
臭Full Character
=
自zi4
top
犬quan3
bottom
Exercise 1 of 2

Identify the Components

Which of these is a component of 臭?

How to say stench in Chinese

“stench” in Chinese is臭chòu

The character 臭 (chòu) primarily denotes an unpleasant smell or stench. It can be used to describe bad odors in various contexts, from food to unpleasant environments. Additionally, it can convey strong negative feelings or judgments about something or someone.

When to use 臭

Learners often confuse 臭 with the more neutral word for 'smell' (味, wèi). Use 臭 in informal contexts to describe something truly unpleasant, while maintaining awareness of its strong negative connotation. Be cautious with the tone; a mispronunciation could change the meaning entirely.

臭 or something close to it

臭 (chòu) vs 难闻 (nánwén) — use 臭 for a stronger, more negative connotation compared to 难闻, which is more neutral.

What learners get wrong

Learners often confuse 臭 (chòu) with 香 (xiāng), which means fragrant or good-smelling. A common error is saying '这东西很臭' (zhè dōngxī hěn chòu) without realizing the strong negative implication it carries, which should only be used for genuinely bad smells.

Write 臭

臭

Practice writing 臭 stroke by stroke. Watch the animation to learn the stroke order, then try writing it yourself.

Write correctly 3 times to earn XP

Grammar Patterns of 臭

臭 functions as an adjective. In Chinese it behaves like a stative verb: place it directly after the subject without 是 (我很高，not 我是高). Use 不 to negate (不高) and pair it with 很 in plain affirmative sentences. It carries 14 related meanings, each with its own usage notes below. The patterns below break down its most common sentence frames, with example sentences and practice buttons (Listen, Practice Writing, Practice Speaking) for each one.

是…的 emphasis是 + [V] + 的
HSK 3

...

这个地方是臭的。

zhège dìfāng shì chòu de.

This place is smelly.

Exercise 1 of 1

Build the Sentence

This place is smelly.

Tap tokens to build the sentence

Common Confusions with 臭

臭vs丑
chǒu

Similar pronunciation with a different meaning.

臭vs愁
chóu

Same pronunciation but different meanings.

臭 means smelly or bad odor, while 香 means fragrant or good smell.

1

这个味道很臭。 vs. 这个味道很香。

臭 means smelly or bad odor, while 香 means fragrant or good smell.

💡臭 sounds negative and unpleasant, 香 sounds positive and pleasant.
Exercise 1 of 1

Spot the Difference

Which character means "stench"?

or

Usage Notes for 臭

Misusing 臭 and 香Common Error

Learners often confuse 臭 with 香. Remember that 臭 is used for bad smells, while 香 is for pleasant ones.

1

这个食物很臭。

This food smells bad.

2

这个花香。

This flower is fragrant.

Exercise 1 of 1

Fill in the Blank

这个食物很____。

This food smells bad.

Example Sentences for 臭 (10)

Listen to all sentences once to receive XP
1
臭氧是一种非常活跃的氧气形态。

chòu yǎng shì yī zhǒng fēi cháng huó yuè de yǎng qì xíng tài。

Ozone is a highly reactive form of oxygen gas.
2
这栋大楼外面的气味让人无法忍受——就像臭鸡蛋的味道。

zhè dòng dà lóu wài miàn de qì wèi ràng rén wú fǎ rěn shòu—— —— jiù xiàng chòu jī dàn de wèi。

The smell outside this building is overwhelming — like rotten eggs.
3
角落里那只未盖盖子的桶散发着臭味。

jiǎo luò lǐ nà zhī wèi gài gài zǐ de tǒng sàn fā zháo chòu wèi。

The uncovered bucket in the corner stank.
4
我们都知道油脂变质后会发臭。

wǒ mén dū zhī dào yóu zhī biàn zhì hòu huì fā chòu。

We all know that fats spoil by becoming rancid.
5
高浓度的臭氧会对眼睛、鼻子和咽喉有刺激作用。

gāo nóng dù de chòu yǎng huì duì yǎn jīng、 、 bí zǐ hé yān hóu yǒu cì jī zuò。

In heavy concentrations, ozone is irritating to the eyes, nose and throat.
6
臭婆娘，你知不知道这会恶名远扬？

chòu pó niáng， ， nǐ zhī bù zhī dào zhè huì è míng yuǎn？

Do you realize, woman, the scandal and publicity that will be involved?
7
滚滚浓烟盘旋翻腾，恶臭味呛得她喘不过气来。

gǔn gǔn nóng yān pán xuán fān téng， ， è chòu wèi qiāng dé tā chuǎn bù guò qì。

Dense smoke swirled and billowed, its rank fumes choking her.
8
火车站上有冲鼻的猫味和臭水沟味。

huǒ chē zhàn shàng yǒu chōng bí de māo wèi hé chòu shuǐ gōu wèi。

The railway station smelt powerfully of cats and drains.
9
离我远点——你有口臭。

lí wǒ yuǎn diǎn—— —— nǐ yǒu kǒu。

Get away from me —your breath stinks.
10
他们本是好友,近来忽然臭了.

tā mén běn shì hǎo yǒu, , jìn lái hū rán chòu.

The two good friends have recently cooled off.

Word Family of 臭

Compounds7
嗅xiu4to smell
糗Qiu3dry rations; mushy, overcooked; embarrassing
溴xiu4bromine
搝
殠
螑
齅
Words Containing This Character20
臭chòustench
臭味stink
恶臭stink惡臭
臭名昭著notorious
臭气stench臭氣
臭美to show off one's good looks shamelessly
口臭bad breath
臭豆腐stinky tofu
臭虫tick臭蟲
臭氧ozone (O₃)
臭氧层ozone layer臭氧層
臭骂tongue-lashing臭罵
乳臭未干still wet behind the ears乳臭未乾
除臭剂deodorant除臭劑
臭烘烘stinking
腐臭stinking
臭味相投to share vile habits
狐臭body odor
遗臭万年to have one's name go down in history as a byword for infamy (idiom)遺臭萬年
臭气熏天overwhelming stench (idiom)臭氣熏天
Exercise 1 of 4

Compound Meaning

What does 嗅 mean?

Frequently Asked Questions about 臭

Some synonyms for 臭 (chòu) include 难闻 (nán wén), which also means 'bad-smelling', and 恶臭 (è chòu), meaning 'foul smell'. These terms can be used interchangeably in many contexts.

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