Translation guide
A fragrant wood from the tree Santalum album, used in incense, perfumes, and carvings. In Japanese, it is most commonly referred to as ビャクダン (白檀).
Referring to the aromatic wood or the tree itself, especially in contexts of incense, fragrance, or traditional crafts.
The standard Japanese term for Indian sandalwood (Santalum album). Used in both everyday and technical contexts. Often written in katakana as ビャクダン.
白檀の香りが好きです。
I like the scent of sandalwood.
この数珠は白檀でできています。
These prayer beads are made of sandalwood.
Loanword from English, commonly used in product names, aromatherapy, and modern contexts. Less traditional than 白檀.
サンダルウッドの精油を買いました。
I bought sandalwood essential oil.
Historically referred to sandalwood, but in modern Japanese it usually means the Chinaberry tree (Melia azedarach). Can cause confusion. Only use in classical or Buddhist contexts where the meaning is clear.
In modern Japanese, 栴檀 almost always means Chinaberry, not sandalwood. Avoid unless you are sure of the context.
The kanji 栴檀 (せんだん) historically meant sandalwood, but today it almost always refers to the Chinaberry tree. Unless you are reading classical literature or Buddhist texts, use 白檀 for sandalwood.
栴檀は双葉より芳し。
The sandalwood tree is fragrant from its seedling leaves. (proverb)