ärsyttävähajuinen

The Finnish word "ärsyttävähajuinen" translates directly to "irritatingly smelly" or "annoyingly odorous" in English. It describes a scent that is not just unpleasant but also bothersome, causing a sense of irritation or discomfort to the person experiencing it. This could be due to the intensity of the smell, its specific chemical composition, or a personal sensitivity to it.

The term can be applied to a wide range of substances and situations. For instance, certain industrial emissions, decaying organic matter, or even strong perfumes could be described as ärsyttävähajuinen if they evoke this negative and irritating reaction. The subjective nature of smell means that what one person finds merely unpleasant, another might perceive as ärsyttävähajuinen.

Unlike a simple "pahanhajuinen" (bad-smelling), "ärsyttävähajuinen" implies a level of offensiveness that actively provokes a negative emotional or physical response, beyond mere disgust. It suggests a smell that one might want to actively escape or shield oneself from. The word highlights the power of olfactory stimuli to affect our well-being and comfort.