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B1 adjective 8 Min. Lesezeit

生臭い

namagusai

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Erklärung 生臭い in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'namagusai' is a word for a bad smell, specifically the smell of raw fish. If you go to a market and smell something you don't like, you might hear this word. It is an 'i-adjective,' which means it ends in 'i'. You can say 'Sakana wa namagusai' (The fish is smelly). Think of it as a special version of 'kusai' (stinky) just for fish and raw things. It's a useful word to know if you are eating out or shopping for food in Japan so you can describe things you don't like.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'namagusai' to describe more things, like your hands after cooking or a kitchen that needs cleaning. You should practice the negative form 'namagusaku-nai' (not fishy) to describe fresh food. For example, 'Kono sushi wa zenzen namagusaku-nai' (This sushi isn't fishy at all) is a high compliment in Japan! You are also learning to connect it to the word 'nama' (raw), which helps you remember that it's about the smell of raw things, not just any bad smell.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance between 'namagusai' and other smell-related words like 'isokusai' (ocean smell) or 'kusai' (stinky). You can use it to describe the smell of blood or raw meat as well. You also begin to see the word in more complex sentences, such as 'Namagusai nioi ga tadoyotte iru' (A fishy smell is drifting). This is also the level where you might first encounter its metaphorical meaning—describing a situation or a person that seems 'shady' or 'corrupt,' particularly in stories or news snippets about scandals.

At the B2 level, you should be comfortable with the metaphorical use of 'namagusai.' It often appears in literature and journalism to describe 'worldly' or 'corrupt' affairs. You will understand phrases like 'namagusai hanashi' (a sordid story) or 'namagusai seiji' (dirty politics). You should also know the historical context of 'namagusai-bozu' (a monk who eats meat/lives secularly), which adds depth to your understanding of Japanese social history and the traditional Buddhist influence on the language.

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At the C1 level, you can appreciate the evocative power of 'namagusai' in high literature. Authors use it to create a visceral atmosphere—perhaps describing the 'namagusai' wind of a battlefield or the 'namagusai' greed of a decaying city. You can distinguish between the literal sensory experience and the abstract moral decay it represents. You should also be able to use the word in nuanced discussions about food quality, explaining how the 'namagusai' components of certain ingredients are suppressed in Japanese cooking through techniques like 'shio-momi' (rubbing with salt).

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At the C2 level, you have a masterly grasp of 'namagusai.' You can use it to critique social structures or religious hypocrisy with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its role in the Japanese 'culture of purity,' where 'namagusai' represents a violation of the clean and the sacred. You can engage in deep analysis of how the word has evolved from a strictly religious prohibition (against meat) to a modern descriptor for financial corruption. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, employing it perfectly in both visceral descriptions and sophisticated social commentary.

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生臭い in 30 Sekunden

Namagusai literally means 'fishy' or 'smelling of raw meat/blood.'
It is an i-adjective used for unpleasant organic odors in kitchens or markets.
Metaphorically, it describes corruption, greed, or 'worldly' behavior in people.
Historically, it criticized monks who broke vows, leading to the term 'namagusai-bozu'.

The Japanese adjective 生臭い (なまぐさい - namagusai) is a sensory-rich term primarily used to describe a specific, often unpleasant, odor associated with raw animal products. At its most literal level, it refers to the smell of raw fish, blood, or fresh meat. For English speakers, the closest direct translation is "fishy," but the Japanese term encompasses a broader range of raw, metallic, or organic smells that suggest something is uncooked or has not been properly cleaned. In the context of a Japanese kitchen or a fish market like Toyosu, this word is ubiquitous. It captures that sharp, pungent scent that lingers on hands after handling seafood or the heavy atmosphere of a butcher shop. However, the word's utility extends far beyond the kitchen into the realms of metaphor and social critique.

Literal Sensory Usage: Used when the physical scent of raw fish, blood, or internal organs is present. It is often a negative descriptor, implying a lack of freshness or poor preparation.
Metaphorical/Secular Usage: Describes things that are worldly, corrupt, or 'smell' of human greed and desire. Historically, this was used to describe Buddhist monks who broke their vows by eating meat or engaging in secular affairs.
Suspicious Contexts: Similar to the English 'something smells fishy,' it can describe a situation that feels untrustworthy or involves hidden, unsavory motives.

このキッチンは少し生臭いですね。掃除しましょう。(This kitchen smells a bit fishy/raw. Let's clean it up.)

Understanding the nuance of 'nama' (raw) and 'kusai' (stinky) is key. The word combines the kanji for life/raw (生) and odor (臭). This combination suggests a smell that is 'alive' or 'organic' in a way that is overwhelming. In Japanese culture, where cleanliness and the removal of 'kegare' (impurity) are highly valued, a 'namagusai' smell is often seen as a sign that a space needs purification or that food is no longer at its peak. When you enter a sushi restaurant, the absence of this smell is actually a mark of high quality; a truly fresh fish should not be 'namagusai.' If you do encounter this smell in a high-end establishment, it is a significant red flag regarding their hygiene standards.

事件の背後に生臭い金の話が絡んでいる。(There are fishy/corrupt money dealings involved behind the incident.)

Using 生臭い (namagusai) correctly requires understanding its grammar as an i-adjective and its specific collocations. Because it is an i-adjective, it follows standard conjugation rules. You can use it to modify nouns directly (e.g., namagusai kaze - a fishy breeze) or as a predicate (e.g., kono sakana wa namagusai - this fish is fishy). When describing a smell that lingers, you might use the adverbial form namagusaku with verbs like niou (to smell).

Modifying Nouns: Namagusai nioi (fishy smell), namagusai kaze (a breeze carrying the scent of the sea/fish), namagusai hanashi (a sordid/fishy story).
Conjugations: Present: Namagusai; Negative: Namagusaku-nai; Past: Namagusakatta; Past Negative: Namagusaku-nakatta.

手が生臭くなったので、石鹸で洗いました。(My hands became fishy-smelling, so I washed them with soap.)

In everyday conversation, you will often hear it used with the particle 'ga' to identify the source of the smell. For example, 'Sakana ga namagusai' (The fish is fishy). If you want to emphasize the intensity, you can add adverbs like 'sugoku' (very) or 'totemo' (really). It is also important to note that while 'kusai' is a general word for 'stinky,' 'namagusai' is specific. If you use 'kusai' for fish, it just means it smells bad; if you use 'namagusai,' you are specifically identifying that raw, organic, bloody scent.

この包丁は生臭いので、よく洗ってください。(This kitchen knife smells of raw fish, so please wash it well.)

The word 生臭い (namagusai) is most frequently encountered in environments where fresh food is handled. You will hear it in Japanese households during meal prep, especially when someone is cleaning fish or preparing sashimi. It is a common complaint among children who might be sensitive to the smell of seafood. In a commercial setting, fishmongers and chefs use it to evaluate the quality of their ingredients. A 'namagusai' fish is often one that is slightly past its prime or hasn't been bled properly (a process called 'ikejime').

Beyond the kitchen, you might hear this word in coastal towns. When the wind blows from the docks or the fishing harbor, people might remark, 'Kaze ga namagusai' (The wind smells of fish). In a completely different context, fans of crime dramas or detective novels will encounter the metaphorical use of the word. Detectives often describe a crime scene or a suspect's background as 'namagusai,' referring to the 'stink' of blood or the sordid nature of the crime.

市場の空気はいつもどこか生臭い。(The air in the market always smells somewhat fishy.)

In political or business reporting, 'namagusai' is a favorite adjective for journalists. It is used to describe scandals involving bribery, power struggles, or backroom deals. When a story involves 'namagusai o-kane' (dirty/fishy money), it implies that the money was obtained through unethical or 'raw' human greed. This usage bridges the gap between the physical sensation of disgust and moral condemnation.

In the Media: Used in headlines to describe 'namagusai scandals' or 'namagusai power struggles' (kenryoku-arasoi).
In Literature: Used to evoke the atmosphere of a harbor, a battlefield (the smell of blood), or a corrupt city.

One of the most common mistakes English speakers make is using 生臭い (namagusai) for any bad smell. While English uses 'stinky' or 'smelly' as catch-all terms, Japanese is much more specific. You should not use 'namagusai' for the smell of old garbage, sweaty socks, or a public restroom. For those, the general term kusai or more specific terms like ase-kusai (smelling of sweat) should be used. 'Namagusai' is strictly reserved for the smell of raw meat, fish, blood, or the metaphorical 'stink' of corruption.

Another mistake is confusing it with mizukusai. Although both end in '-kusai,' mizukusai (watery-stinky) is an idiom meaning 'distant' or 'acting like a stranger' (e.g., when a friend doesn't ask for help). There is no sensory connection to raw fish in that term. Similarly, don't confuse it with furui (old). While fish that is 'namagusai' is often 'furui,' the two words describe different qualities.

Mistake: Using for Garbage: Incorrect: Gomi ga namagusai. (Unless the garbage is specifically full of raw fish guts). Correct: Gomi ga kusai.
Mistake: Overusing the Metaphor: While 'something smells fishy' in English can apply to a joke or a small lie, 'namagusai' in Japanese carries a heavier, more sordid tone, often involving money or blood.

❌ 靴が生臭い。 (My shoes are fishy - unless you stepped in a fish).
✅ 靴が臭い。 (My shoes are stinky.)

To truly master the nuances of 生臭い (namagusai), it helps to compare it with other 'smell' adjectives in Japanese. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for odors, often attaching the suffix '-kusai' to the source of the smell. Understanding these distinctions will help you choose the right word for the right situation.

臭い (Kusai): The general term for 'stinky' or 'smelly.' Use this when you don't need to specify the source or when it's just a general bad odor.
磯臭い (Isokusai): Describes the smell of the seashore, seaweed, and tide. Unlike 'namagusai,' this can sometimes be pleasant or nostalgic, evoking the ocean breeze.
焦げ臭い (Kogekusai): Describes the smell of something burning or scorched. Use this in the kitchen when the toast is burning.
泥臭い (Dorokusai): Literally 'smelling of mud.' Metaphorically, it means 'unrefined,' 'clumsy,' or 'earthy.' It is often used to praise an athlete's gritty, unpolished effort.

When describing fish specifically, you might also use sakana-kusai (smelling of fish). The difference is subtle: sakana-kusai is very literal and neutral, whereas namagusai is more visceral and often implies a sense of raw blood or decay. If your hands smell like fish after cooking, both work, but namagusai emphasizes the 'raw' quality that you want to wash off immediately.

海辺に行くと、磯臭い香りがして落ち着く。(When I go to the seaside, the smell of the tide makes me feel calm.)

In metaphorical contexts, alternatives to 'namagusai' include ayashii (suspicious) or usogurai (gloomy/shady). While 'namagusai' suggests a moral 'stink,' ayashii is a more general word for anything that doesn't seem right. If a business deal seems illegal, you could call it either 'namagusai' (emphasizing the greed/corruption) or 'ayashii' (emphasizing the lack of clarity).

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

In ancient Japan, Shinto and Buddhist beliefs often viewed meat-eating as 'impure.' Therefore, 'namagusai' wasn't just a smell; it was a moral indicator of impurity.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /nɑː.mæ.ɡʊ.saɪ/

US /nɑ.mɑ.ɡu.saɪ/

Japanese has pitch accent rather than stress. 'Namagusai' typically has a low-high-high-high-high pattern (Heiban style), but can vary by dialect.

Reimt sich auf

Kusai (stinky) Isokusai (smelling of the tide) Atsui (hot) Samui (cold) Amai (sweet) Karai (spicy) Mizukusai (distant) Dorokusai (muddy/unrefined)

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing 'sai' as 'say' (it should rhyme with 'high').
Putting too much stress on one syllable (Japanese syllables should be equal length).
Confusing the 'u' sound in 'gu' with a long 'oo' sound.
Forgetting the 'i' at the end, which is essential for adjective conjugation.
Mispelling it as 'namakusai' (it must be voiced as 'gu').

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 3/5

The kanji are common, but the reading 'namagusai' must be memorized as a unit.

Schreiben 4/5

Writing '臭' can be tricky for beginners (don't forget the dot!).

Sprechen 2/5

Easy to pronounce once you know 'nama' and 'kusai'.

Hören 3/5

Common in markets and news, easy to pick out.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

生 (nama) 臭い (kusai) 魚 (sakana) におい (nioi) 嫌い (kirai)

Als Nächstes lernen

磯臭い (isokusai) 焦げ臭い (kogekusai) 泥臭い (dorokusai) 腐る (kusaru) 鮮度 (sendo)

Fortgeschritten

世俗 (sezoku) 権力闘争 (kenryoku tōsō) 利権 (riken) 隠蔽 (inpei) 穢れ (kegare)

Wichtige Grammatik

I-Adjective Conjugation

生臭い → 生臭くない (Negative)

Adverbial form + Naru

生臭くなる (To become fishy)

Noun Modification

生臭い魚 (Fishy fish)

Te-form for Reason

生臭くて食べられない (I can't eat it because it's fishy)

Sa-form for Noun

生臭さが気になる (The fishiness bothers me)

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Beispiele nach Niveau

この魚は生臭いです。

This fish is fishy-smelling.

Standard i-adjective predicate use.

生臭いにおいが嫌いです。

I hate fishy smells.

Modifying the noun 'nioi' (smell).

手が生臭い。

My hands smell like fish.

Subject + ga + adjective structure.

生臭くない魚をください。

Please give me fish that isn't fishy.

Negative form 'namagusaku-nai' modifying a noun.

台所が生臭いですね。

The kitchen smells fishy, doesn't it?

Using 'ne' for agreement.

生臭いのはダメです。

Fishy things are no good (for me).

Turning the adjective into a noun phrase with 'no'.

生臭い風が吹いています。

A fishy wind is blowing.

Modifying 'kaze' (wind).

生臭い肉ですね。

This is smelly/raw meat, isn't it?

Using with meat instead of fish.

魚を触ったから、手が生臭くなった。

Because I touched the fish, my hands became fishy.

Adverbial form + naru (to become).

この牛乳は少し生臭い気がする。

I feel like this milk smells a bit 'off' (raw/organic).

Using 'ki ga suru' for a subjective feeling.

生臭いにおいを消したいです。

I want to get rid of the fishy smell.

Using 'kesu' (to erase/remove).

生臭かったので、食べませんでした。

It was fishy, so I didn't eat it.

Past tense 'namagusakatta'.

市場は生臭いけれど、活気がある。

The market is fishy, but it is lively.

Using 'keredo' for contrast.

生臭い包丁を洗ってください。

Please wash the fishy knife.

Direct noun modification.

血のにおいは生臭い。

The smell of blood is raw/metallic.

Describing blood.

生臭くないように、生姜を入れます。

I put in ginger so it won't be fishy.

Using 'yō ni' to show purpose/result.

この辺りは、いつも生臭い風が漂っている。

Around here, a fishy breeze is always drifting.

Using 'tadayou' (to drift/waft).

生臭い話には関わりたくない。

I don't want to get involved in fishy (sordid) stories.

Metaphorical use for 'sordid/corrupt'.

排水口が生臭くて困っている。

The drain smells fishy and I'm troubled by it.

Te-form for cause/reason.

彼は生臭い坊主だと噂されている。

He is rumored to be a worldly/corrupt monk.

Classic idiom 'namagusai-bozu'.

ゴミ箱から生臭いにおいがしてきた。

A fishy smell started coming from the trash can.

V-te kuru (aspect of starting/approaching).

生臭いにおいを取るために、お酒で洗う。

To remove the fishy smell, wash it with sake.

Cooking technique context.

事件の現場は、まだ血の生臭いにおいがした。

The scene of the incident still smelled of raw blood.

Describing a crime scene.

生臭い政治の世界に嫌気がさした。

I got fed up with the fishy/corrupt world of politics.

Metaphorical use for 'corrupt'.

その契約には生臭い金が動いているようだ。

It seems that fishy (dirty) money is moving in that contract.

Metaphorical use for 'dirty money'.

生臭い人間関係に疲れてしまった。

I'm tired of sordid/messy human relationships.

Metaphorical use for 'messy/unpleasant'.

彼の成功の裏には、生臭い野心が見え隠れする。

Behind his success, a sordid ambition is visible.

Describing abstract qualities like ambition.

都会の喧騒の中にも、どこか生臭い生活感がある。

Even in the bustle of the city, there's a somewhat raw/gritty sense of life.

Abstract usage for 'gritty/raw'.

生臭い欲望が渦巻く街、歌舞伎町。

Kabukicho, a town where sordid desires swirl.

Literary/dramatic description.

彼の言葉には、生臭いリアリティがあった。

There was a raw reality in his words.

Using 'raw' in a more neutral/positive sense of realism.

宗教法人をめぐる生臭い争いが続いている。

The sordid struggle surrounding the religious corporation continues.

Common news collocation.

生臭い世俗の垢を落とすために旅に出る。

I go on a journey to wash away the grime of the sordid/secular world.

Metaphorical use for 'secular world'.

潮風が運んでくるのは、単なる磯の香りではなく、もっと生臭い生命の匂いだった。

What the sea breeze carried was not just the scent of the tide, but a more raw/fishy smell of life itself.

Contrast between 'isokusai' and 'namagusai'.

権力闘争の生臭いドラマが、舞台裏で繰り広げられている。

A sordid drama of power struggle is unfolding behind the scenes.

Describing intense, unpleasant human conflict.

その小説は、人間の生臭い本性を容赦なく描き出している。

That novel relentlessly depicts the raw/sordid nature of human beings.

Literary analysis context.

生臭い利権争いに終止符を打つべきだ。

We should put an end to the sordid struggle over vested interests.

Formal/Political context.

彼の表情には、隠しきれない生臭い執着が滲んでいた。

A sordid obsession that couldn't be hidden oozed from his expression.

Describing psychological states.

戦場には、硝煙の匂いと混じって、生臭い死の気配が漂っていた。

On the battlefield, mixed with the smell of gunpowder, drifted the raw presence of death.

Evocative literary usage.

生臭い現世のしがらみを断ち切るのは容易ではない。

It is not easy to cut off the sordid ties of this secular world.

Buddhist-influenced philosophical usage.

伝統の裏側に潜む生臭い歴史を紐解く。

Unraveling the sordid history lurking behind tradition.

Historical/Academic context.

資本主義の最前線では、常に生臭いマネーゲームが展開されている。

On the front lines of capitalism, sordid money games are constantly unfolding.

Advanced economic/social critique.

その政治家の演説は、理想を語りながらも、どこか生臭い野心を隠しきれていなかった。

While speaking of ideals, that politician's speech could not quite hide a certain sordid ambition.

Nuanced character description.

宗教の崇高な教えの裏で、生臭い権力欲が渦巻いている現実に直面する。

We face the reality that sordid lust for power swirls behind the sublime teachings of religion.

Critique of institutional hypocrisy.

人間の生臭いエゴイズムを、美辞麗句で塗り固めることはできない。

One cannot coat the raw egoism of humans with flowery words.

Philosophical/Literary expression.

彼は都会の生臭い喧騒を逃れ、深山幽谷に身を隠した。

Fleeing the sordid bustle of the city, he hid himself in the deep mountains and dark valleys.

Classic literary trope.

そのスキャンダルは、政界の生臭い体質を浮き彫りにした。

The scandal highlighted the sordid nature of the political world.

Using 'ukibori ni suru' (to highlight/expose).

生命の誕生という神秘的な瞬間にさえ、ある種の生臭いリアリティが伴う。

Even in the mystical moment of birth, a certain raw reality accompanies it.

Biological/Philosophical context.

生臭い現実に直面した時、人は真の強さを試される。

When faced with raw reality, a person's true strength is tested.

Existential usage.

Häufige Kollokationen

生臭いにおい

生臭い風

生臭い坊主

生臭い話

生臭い政治

血生臭い事件

手が生臭くなる

生臭さを消す

生臭い金

生臭い欲望

Häufige Phrasen

生臭い匂いがする

— To have a fishy smell. Used for food, places, or hands.

この部屋、生臭い匂いがしない？

生臭さを抜く

— To remove the fishy smell (in cooking).

下処理をして生臭さを抜く。

生臭い連中

— A sordid or corrupt group of people.

あそこは生臭い連中の集まりだ。

生臭い取引

— A shady or corrupt business deal.

生臭い取引の証拠を見つけた。

生臭い現世

— The sordid, secular world.

生臭い現世を離れて修行する。

生臭いリアリティ

— A raw, gritty realism.

その映画には生臭いリアリティがある。

鼻をつく生臭さ

— A fishy smell that hits the nose sharply.

鼻をつく生臭さに顔をしかめた。

生臭い風評

— Sordid rumors.

生臭い風評が流れている。

生臭い現場

— A 'raw' scene (often a crime scene).

生臭い現場に立ち会う。

生臭い関係

— A messy or sordid relationship.

二人の間には生臭い関係がある。

Wird oft verwechselt mit

生臭い vs 水臭い (mizukusai)

Means 'distant' or 'acting like a stranger,' not 'water-smelling'.

生臭い vs 臭い (kusai)

General stinky. 'Namagusai' is specifically for raw organic things.

生臭い vs 磯臭い (isokusai)

Smell of the ocean/seaweed, can be pleasant. 'Namagusai' is usually unpleasant.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"生臭い坊主 (Namagusai-bozu)"

— A corrupt monk who eats meat and lives a secular life.

彼は修行もせず、生臭い坊主だ。

Informal/Critical

"血生臭い (Chinamagusai)"

— Smelling of blood; often used to describe violent incidents.

血生臭い抗争が続いている。

Serious

"生臭い話 (Namagusai-hanashi)"

— A story involving money, sex, or corruption.

あまり生臭い話は聞きたくない。

Neutral

"口が生臭い (Kuchi ga namagusai)"

— Having bad breath that smells like fish or raw meat.

彼は口が生臭いので有名だ。

Informal

"生臭い世の中 (Namagusai yononaka)"

— A corrupt or sordid world.

生臭い世の中に嫌気がさす。

Literary

"生臭い欲 (Namagusai yoku)"

— Worldly or base desires.

生臭い欲を捨てる。

Philosophical

"生臭い金 (Namagusai kane)"

— Dirty money or money gained through corruption.

生臭い金は受け取れない。

Neutral

"生臭い空気 (Namagusai kūki)"

— A tense, unpleasant, or 'shady' atmosphere.

会議室には生臭い空気が漂っていた。

Metaphorical

"生臭い野心 (Namagusai yashin)"

— Sordid or selfish ambition.

彼の生臭い野心が見え透いている。

Critical

"生臭い歴史 (Namagusai rekishi)"

— A dark or sordid past/history.

この土地には生臭い歴史がある。

Serious

Leicht verwechselbar

生臭い vs 泥臭い (dorokusai)

Both end in -kusai and involve organic matter.

Dorokusai means muddy/unrefined (often positive for effort). Namagusai is fishy/corrupt (negative).

彼は泥臭いプレーをするが、生臭い話には乗らない。

生臭い vs 焦げ臭い (kogekusai)

Common kitchen smell adjectives.

Kogekusai is for burning. Namagusai is for raw things.

キッチンが焦げ臭いと思ったら、魚を焼きすぎていた。

生臭い vs 古臭い (furukusai)

Both use -kusai suffix.

Furukusai means old-fashioned or outdated. Namagusai is about the raw smell/corruption.

彼の考えは古臭いが、金には生臭くない。

生臭い vs 酒臭い (sakekusai)

Both are strong smells.

Sakekusai is the smell of alcohol/drunk person. Namagusai is fish/blood/corruption.

彼は酒臭い息で生臭い冗談を言った。

生臭い vs 汗臭い (asekusai)

Both are body/organic smells.

Asekusai is sweat. Namagusai is raw animal products or corruption.

部室は汗臭いが、そこには生臭い野心などない。

Satzmuster

N は生臭いです。

この魚は生臭いです。

N が生臭くなりました。

手が生臭くなりました。

生臭い N を V。

生臭いにおいを消す。

生臭いと思います。

少し生臭いと思います。

生臭い N が漂う。

生臭い空気が漂う。

生臭い N に嫌気がさす。

生臭い政治に嫌気がさす。

生臭い N を紐解く。

生臭い歴史を紐解く。

生臭い N が渦巻く。

生臭い欲望が渦巻く。

Wortfamilie

Substantive

生臭さ (namagusasa - fishiness/stink)

Verben

生臭む (namagusamu - to smell fishy, rare/archaic)

Adjektive

生臭い (namagusai - fishy)

血生臭い (chinamagusai - bloody)

Verwandt

生 (nama - raw)

臭い (kusai - stinky)

匂い (nioi - smell)

魚 (sakana - fish)

血 (chi - blood)

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frequency

Common in daily life (kitchens) and media (scandals).

Häufige Fehler

Using it for old socks. → Ase-kusai (sweaty) or simply kusai.
Namagusai is only for raw animal smells or corruption.
Saying 'namakusai'. → Namagusai.
The 'k' sound in 'kusai' must be voiced (g) when combined with 'nama'.
Using it for a joke that is 'fishy'. → Ayashii (suspicious).
Namagusai is for more serious, sordid, or corrupt 'fishiness'.
Confusing it with 'mizukusai'. → Mizukusai means 'distant/formal'.
These are completely different meanings despite the similar ending.
Using it for raw vegetables. → Aokusai (smelling of grass/greenery).
Namagusai is for meat/fish; aokusai is for raw plants.

Tipps

Sushi Quality

High-quality sushi should never be namagusai. If it is, the fish is not fresh.

Removing the Smell

Use salt (shio-momi) or milk to remove namagusai smells from fish or liver.

Metaphor Mastery

Use namagusai for 'dirty money' (namagusai kane) to sound like a native speaker.

I-Adjective Rule

Remember to change 'i' to 'ku' for the negative and adverbial forms: namagusaku.

Insult Warning

Calling a person namagusai is a very heavy insult. Use it only in serious contexts.

News Keywords

When you hear 'namagusai' on the news, a scandal is being discussed.

Buddhist Roots

The word's depth comes from Japan's history of Buddhist vegetarianism.

Coastal Winds

Distinguish between isokusai (seaweed) and namagusai (fish market) smells.

Medical Context

Doctors might use it to describe the smell of a specific type of infection or blood.

Daily Drill

Next time you cook fish, say 'namagusaku-naru' as your hands get smelly!

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of 'Nama' (Raw) + 'Kusai' (Stinky). If it's RAW and STINKY, it's probably a fish! 'Namagusai' is the fishy smell.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a fish market in the summer heat. The smell of raw fish scales and blood—that visceral sensation is 'namagusai.'

Word Web

Fish Blood Raw Market Stinky Corrupt Greed Monk

Herausforderung

Go to a grocery store's seafood section. As you walk by, whisper 'namagusai' to yourself. If the fish is fresh, say 'namagusaku-nai!'

Wortherkunft

Derived from the combination of 'nama' (生 - raw/fresh) and 'kusai' (臭い - stinking). It appears in early Japanese texts to describe the smell of animal flesh.

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: The smell of raw meat or fresh blood.

Japonic

Kultureller Kontext

Calling someone 'namagusai' is a serious insult to their character and integrity.

While English uses 'fishy' to mean suspicious, Japanese uses 'namagusai' for a more visceral, often darker suspicion involving money or corruption.

Namagusai-bozu (a common character type in old Japanese folklore) Tsukiji Market descriptions in literature Hardboiled detective novels (smell of blood)

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Kitchen/Cooking

生臭さを消す
手が生臭い
魚が生臭い
まな板が生臭い

Fish Market

生臭い風
市場のにおい
新鮮で生臭くない
生臭い空気

Politics/News

生臭い話
生臭い金
生臭い政治
生臭いスキャンダル

Religion

生臭い坊主
生臭い欲望
現世の生臭さ
俗世間

Crime/Thriller

血生臭い現場
生臭いにおいが漂う
生臭い犯行
生臭い執着

Gesprächseinstiege

"この魚、生臭くないですか？ (Doesn't this fish smell a bit fishy?)"

"どうやって魚の生臭さを消していますか？ (How do you get rid of the fishy smell?)"

"最近の政治、なんだか生臭い話が多いですね。 (There are a lot of fishy/sordid stories in politics lately, aren't there?)"

"生臭いにおいが苦手なんです。 (I'm not good with fishy smells.)"

"あの映画、生臭いリアリティがあって凄かったよ。 (That movie had a raw reality that was amazing.)"

Tagebuch-Impulse

市場に行った時の生臭いにおいについて書いてください。 (Write about the fishy smell when you went to a market.)

生臭いにおいを消すための、あなたの秘密の方法は何ですか？ (What is your secret method for removing fishy smells?)

世の中の『生臭い』と感じる部分についてどう思いますか？ (What do you think about the 'sordid/corrupt' parts of the world?)

生臭い坊主という言葉について、あなたの意見を教えてください。 (Tell me your opinion on the term 'corrupt monk'.)

血生臭い映画や小説は好きですか？その理由も。 (Do you like bloody/violent movies or novels? Why?)

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

No, that would be incorrect. Use 'kusai' for general bad smells. 'Namagusai' is strictly for raw fish, meat, or blood.

Almost always. It implies something is unrefined, unclean, or morally corrupt. However, in a literary sense, it can describe 'raw reality,' which might be neutral.

It is a 'corrupt monk' who eats meat and is more interested in money or fame than their religious duties. It's a classic Japanese insult.

You say 'Kono sushi wa namagusaku-nai desu.' This is a very good compliment for a sushi chef!

Yes, if the smell of fish and nets is strong, you can say 'Kaze ga namagusai.' If it's more like seaweed, use 'isokusai'.

Generally, no. It is reserved for animal products (fish, meat, blood). Raw vegetables are just 'nama' (raw).

Yes, it is a direct criticism of the food's freshness. Use it only if you are truly unhappy with the quality.

'Sakana-kusai' is literal: it smells like fish. 'Namagusai' is more visceral: it smells of 'raw life' or 'blood,' and has metaphorical meanings.

Yes, 'namagusai torihiki' is a perfect way to describe a shady or corrupt business deal.

Yes, 'namagusasa' (fishiness/stinkiness). For example, 'Sakana no namagusasa o toru' (Remove the fishiness of the fish).

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