lõhnatu

Lõhnatu is an Estonian adjective meaning odorless. It is used to describe substances, environments, or products that do not emit a perceivable smell. The term is common in science, industry, and everyday language when the presence or absence of smell is relevant, for example in chemistry, safety labeling, or quality descriptions. It does not by itself imply safety, toxicity, or quality beyond the lack of odor.

Etymology and usage: Lõhnatu is formed from lõhn, meaning smell, with a suffix that indicates absence. Literally, it means “without smell.” In practice, it is often paired with a noun to specify what lacks odor, such as lõhnatu gaas (odorless gas), lõhnatu vedelik (odorless liquid), or lõhnatu aine (odorless substance). The term is especially common in technical writing and product specifications.

Examples and implications: Several gases and liquids are described as lõhnatu, which means that their odor cannot be used to detect leaks or contamination. This property necessitates the use of alternative detection methods, such as sensors or alarms. Common examples often cited as odorless include nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and oxygen, as well as pure water under normal conditions. However, purity matters: impurities can introduce odors, so labile or impure samples may not be odorless.

See also: Lõhn (smell) and related terms describing sensory properties.