香ばしい

• Reading: こうばしい
• Romaji: koubashii
• Kanji breakdown: 香 (kou/ka) — fragrance, scent, aroma
• Pronunciation: /ko.ɯ.ba.ɕi.i/

Meaning

Aromatic; fragrant; savoury-smelling. Describes the pleasant smell of roasted or grilled food.

An i-adjective describing the appetising aroma released by roasting, grilling, or toasting. Most commonly used for the smell of roasted coffee beans, grilled meat, toasted bread, or roasted tea (ほうじ茶). Unlike いい匂い (good smell), 香ばしい specifically evokes warmth and a toasted quality. Can also be used figuratively to describe something pleasantly appealing.

Examples

1. コーヒー豆を焙煎すると香ばしい匂いが広がる。 When you roast coffee beans, a wonderful aroma spreads through the air.
2. 香ばしく焼けたパンの匂いで目が覚めた。 I woke up to the fragrant smell of toasted bread.
3. 秋刀魚を焼く香ばしい煙が漂っていた。 The savory smoke from grilling saury drifted through the air.

Usage Guide

Context: cooking, food, daily life

Tone: pleasant

Origin & History

From 香 (ka/kou, scent/fragrance) + ばしい (adjectival suffix). Historically related to 香る (kaoru, to be fragrant). The kanji 香 depicts a grain sprouting over a sweet, aromatic substance.

Cultural Context

Era: Ancient

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal