Meaning and Usage
The character 臭 (chòu) primarily means 'stinky' or 'having a bad smell.' It is often used to describe unpleasant odors from objects, places, or even people. Beyond the literal sense, 臭 can also be used figuratively to describe harsh criticism or scolding, as in 臭骂 (chòu mà), meaning to scold someone severely.
Common Collocations
Usage Notes
When used literally, 臭 usually describes a strong, unpleasant smell and is often negative. In colloquial speech, 臭 can also intensify the meaning of verbs related to criticism or complaints. It is a common word in everyday conversation, especially when talking about hygiene or expressing dissatisfaction.
Avoiding Confusion
Do not confuse 臭 with 香 (xiāng), which means 'fragrant' or 'pleasant smelling.' Also, 臭 is not typically used in formal writing to describe odors; more neutral terms like 难闻 (nán wén) might be preferred.