臭 Stroke Order — How to Write 臭

Stroke Order

臭 is written in 10 strokes, following the standard Chinese stroke order. Start from the radical 自, then complete the remaining strokes.

Stroke order matters in Chinese: it keeps the character balanced, and it is how dictionaries and handwriting input methods expect a character to be written.

臭 Radical and Character Components

Components:自犬

臭 is an ideographic compound. The smell 自 of a dirty dog 犬.

Radical: 自 + 4 more strokes

臭 Pronunciation and Pinyin

chòu
xiù

Meanings of 臭 in Chinese

chòu臭

Unpleasant, foul, or bad-smelling; stench; the opposite of fragrant.

这个房间里弥漫着一股臭味儿。

A foul smell permeated this room.

In classical Chinese, 'chòu' (chòu) could refer to a fragrance, scent, or perfume, often contained in sachets (容臭, róng chòu). This usage is archaic and contrasts with its more common modern meaning of 'stinky' or 'foul-smelling'.

古时士人常佩戴香囊，其内盛有芬芳之臭，以示雅致。

In ancient times, scholars often wore sachets that contained fragrant scents (chòu) to demonstrate their elegance.

Disgusting, detestable, or annoying, often used to describe things or behaviors that are disliked or pretentious (e.g., 'stinky money' for ill-gotten gains, 'to show off', 'haughty airs', 'notorious').

你别再臭美了，大家都知道你有多厉害。

Stop showing off; everyone already knows how capable you are.

Severely; harshly (describing an action, often negative, like scolding or criticizing).

他被老板臭骂了一顿。

He was severely scolded by his boss.

Referring to a bullet or shell that is defective, failing to fire or explode.

这颗子弹是臭的，根本打不响。

This bullet is a dud; it won't fire at all.

xiù臭

A general term for 'odor' or 'smell'.

这种化学物质无色无臭。

This chemical substance is colorless and odorless.

To smell, to sniff (an archaic usage, synonymous with 嗅 xiù).

狗儿低头臭着地上的气味。

The dog lowered its head, sniffing the smell on the ground.

Common Words and Phrases with 臭

chòu臭bù不kě可wén闻

So foul-smelling as to be unbearable; figuratively, having an infamous and despised reputation.

他因贪图私利，欺骗朋友，如今名声臭不可闻，没人愿意与他来往。

After he cheated his friends for personal gain, his reputation became so notorious that no one wanted to associate with him.

chòu臭chóng虫

A bedbug is a small, flat, wingless, blood-sucking insect that typically infests beds and homes, feeding on human blood.

我们家的床垫上最近出现了几只臭虫，搞得我晚上都睡不好觉。

Our mattress recently had a few bed bugs, which made it hard for me to sleep at night.

chòu臭dàn弹

A dud shell or a dead bomb; a shell that fails to explode.

在射击训练中，他遇到了一枚臭弹，幸好没有造成任何危险。

During the shooting practice, he encountered a dud round, fortunately it didn't cause any danger.

chòu臭dòu豆fǔ腐

A fermented tofu dish with a strong, pungent aroma, also known as stinky tofu.

虽然臭豆腐闻起来有点特别，但很多人都觉得它吃起来香极了。

Although stinky tofu smells a bit unique, many people find it incredibly delicious to eat.

chòu臭jià架zi子

An unpleasant display of arrogance and self-importance; putting on airs or pretentiousness.

他总是摆出一副臭架子，让人不想和他说话。

He always puts on snobbish airs, making people not want to talk to him.

chòu臭lǎo老jiǔ九

A derogatory term for intellectuals used during China's Cultural Revolution, referring to their low social status as they were ranked ninth in a hierarchy of undesirable elements.

爷爷常说，在他年轻的时候，有些人会用“臭老九”来称呼那些有学问的人，真是荒谬的时代偏见。

Grandpa often said that when he was young, some people would use 'Chou Lao Jiu' to refer to those with knowledge, which was truly an absurd historical prejudice.

chòu臭mà骂

To scold or curse someone severely; to give a harsh reprimand.