chòu

殠

Character · Adjective · NounTraditional臭

stinky; foul; disgusting

Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma

Meanings

3 senses · 8 examples
1.

adjective

foul-smelling; stinky

neutral

The most common and basic meaning. Often contrasted with 香 (fragrant).

Zhè这
ge个
lā垃
jī圾
tǒng桶
hěn很
chòu臭
 。

This trash can is very stinky.

Tā他
tuō脱
le了
xié鞋
zi子
 ，
fáng房
jiān间
lǐ里
chòu臭
qì气
xūn熏
tiān天
 。

He took off his shoes, and the room stank to high heaven.

Show 1 more example
Chòu臭
dòu豆
fu腐
wén闻
zhe着
chòu臭
 ，
chī吃
zhe着
xiāng香
 。

Stinky tofu smells bad but tastes delicious.

2.

adjective

disgusting; despicable; rotten

informal

Figurative use to describe people's character, reputations, or situations.

Tā他
dǎ打
xiǎo小
bào报
gào告
 ，
shì是
ge个
chòu臭
míng名
zhāo昭
zhù著
de的
jiā家
huo伙
 。

He tattles on others and is a notorious jerk.

Zhè这
cì次
bǐ比
sài赛
tā他
tī踢
de得
hěn很
chòu臭
 。

He played very poorly in this match.

Show 1 more example
Bié别
bǎi摆
chū出
yī一
fù副
chòu臭
jià架
zi子
 。

Don't put on such an arrogant air.

3.

noun

odor; smell; scent

literary

This is the classical meaning, and can refer to any smell, good or bad. In modern Chinese, it is primarily used in the compound 臭味 and in classical contexts.

Qí其
chòu臭
rú如
lán兰
 。

Its scent is like that of an orchid.

Chòu臭
wèi味
xiāng相
tóu投
 。

To share the same (bad) tastes; birds of a feather flock together.