酸鼻

• Reading: さんび
• Romaji: sanbi
• Kanji breakdown: 酸 (san) — acid, sour, painful; 鼻 (bi/hana) — nose (here: acrid sensory impression)
• Pronunciation: /san.bʲi/

Meaning

Horrible; atrocious; gruesome; heart-rending. Describes a scene or situation so distressing that it affects one physically and emotionally.

A na-adjective used in highly literary and journalistic contexts to convey extreme horror or pathos. Often appears in the fixed phrase 酸鼻を極める (to be the height of horror) or 酸鼻な光景 (a gruesome scene). More formal and literary than 惨い or 悲惨, and rarely used in casual speech.

Examples

1. 戦場の酸鼻な光景は、帰還した兵士たちの心に深い傷を残した。 The gruesome scenes on the battlefield left deep scars in the hearts of the returning soldiers.
2. 事故現場は酸鼻を極め、救助隊員も涙をこらえきれなかった。 The accident scene was so horrific that even the rescue workers couldn't hold back their tears.
3. 記者はその酸鼻な実態を伝えるため、命がけで取材を続けた。 The reporter continued covering the story at the risk of his life to convey the heart-rending reality.

Usage Guide

Context: journalism, literature, war, disaster

Tone: grave

Origin & History

Compound of 酸 (san, acid/sour/painful) and 鼻 (bi, nose). The combination evokes the physical sensation of a sharp, acrid smell — extended metaphorically to scenes so horrific they assault the senses.

Cultural Context

Era: Meiji–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Educated