How common it is
臭 appears often in everyday Chinese, so it is worth practicing early and reviewing often.
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Pronunciation focus
Say chòu slowly first, then repeat it in a short phrase. Listen for the tone shape.
Usage note
臭表示有难闻的味道，也可口语说坏。
chòu biǎo shì yǒu nán wén de wèi dào， yě kě kǒu yǔ shuō huài。
臭 means having a bad smell, and can also mean bad in speech.
Context note
臭常用于气味、评价和口语。
chòu cháng yòng yú qì wèi 、 píng jià hé kǒu yǔ。
It is often used for smell, evaluation, and speech.
5 examples
这个东西有点臭。
zhè ge dōng xī yǒu diǎn chòu。
This thing smells a bit bad.
别乱扔，不然会臭。
bié luàn rēng， bù rán huì chòu。
Do not throw it around, or it will smell bad.
臭味很大。
chòu wèi hěn dà。
The smell is very strong.
他脚很臭。
tā jiǎo hěn chòu。
His feet smell bad.
这鱼有点臭了。
zhè yú yǒu diǎn chòu le。
This fish has gone a little bad.
5 mini stories
垃圾桶旁边有点臭。
lā jī tǒng páng biān yǒu diǎn chòu。
It smells a bit bad near the trash can.
他闻到臭味后皱了眉。
tā wén dào chòu wèi hòu zhòu le méi。
He frowned after smelling the bad odor.
天气热时，食物容易臭。
tiān qì rè shí， shí wù róng yì chòu。
Food smells bad easily when the weather is hot.
孩子说袜子有点臭。
hái zi shuō wà zi yǒu diǎn chòu。
The child said the socks smell a bit bad.
老师让大家把臭东西扔掉。
lǎo shī ràng dà jiā bǎ chòu dōng xī rēng diào。
The teacher asked everyone to throw away the smelly things.