Translation guide
Describes a scent that remains after the source is gone, often with a poetic or nostalgic nuance.
To describe a pleasant scent that remains in the air or on an object after the source has left.
Literally 'remaining fragrance', used for a pleasant scent left behind, often in literary or poetic contexts.
To describe a smell that persists, often unwanted, such as smoke or food odors.
Specifically for an unpleasant lingering smell, though less common than 残り香.
タバコの残り臭が服に染みついている。
The lingering smell of tobacco has soaked into my clothes.
To evoke a sense of memory or emotion through a scent that remains, often in literary or artistic contexts.
Often written with this kanji to imply a refined, elegant fragrance, frequently used in poetry.
残り香 (のこりが) is used for pleasant lingering scents, while 残り臭 (のこりが) is for unpleasant ones. In casual speech, 残り臭 is less common; people often just say 臭いが残る.
花の残り香が好きだ。
I like the lingering scent of flowers.
魚の残り臭が嫌だ。
I hate the lingering smell of fish.
The verb 漂う (ただよう) is often used with scents to describe them hanging or drifting in the air, adding a poetic touch.
Even after she left, the lingering scent of flowers hung in the room.
A more literary term for lingering fragrance, often used in poetry or refined writing.
茶室には抹茶の余香が満ちていた。
The lingering scent of matcha filled the tea room.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'the scent remains', usable in everyday conversation.
この部屋にはまだ彼の香水の香りが残っている。
The lingering scent of his cologne still remains in this room.
General phrase for a lingering smell, neutral to negative.
料理の臭いが部屋に残っている。
The smell of cooking is lingering in the room.
Emphasizes that the smell won't go away, often used for stubborn odors.
生ゴミの臭いが取れなくて困っている。
I'm having trouble with the lingering smell of garbage that won't go away.
彼の手紙からは微かに薫りがした。
A faint lingering scent arose from his letter.
Literally 'scent of parting' or 'vestiges', strongly nostalgic, often for seasonal or farewell contexts.
秋の終わりには、夏の名残の香りが風に混じる。
At the end of autumn, the lingering scent of summer mingles with the wind.