Translation guide
To have a pleasant smell. In Japanese, this is most commonly expressed with the adjective 香りがいい (kaori ga ii) or the verb 香る (kaoru). The choice depends on whether you are describing a thing's scent or the act of smelling something.
This flower is fragrant.
The room is fragrant.
To say that something has a nice fragrance, like flowers, perfume, or food.
Literally 'the smell is good'. This is the most natural and common way to say something is fragrant. It can be used for anything with a pleasant scent.
These flowers are fragrant, aren't they?
This tea has a nice fragrance.
An intransitive verb meaning 'to smell good' or 'to be fragrant'. It is often used when the scent is actively emanating from something.
Literally 'gives off a good smell'. This is a very common and versatile phrase, but 匂い (nioi) can refer to any smell, good or bad, so context is needed. It's slightly more casual than 香りがいい.
Something smells good.
A more literary or formal adjective meaning 'fragrant' or 'sweet-smelling'. Often used in writing or to describe refined scents like incense or tea.
To emphasize that the fragrance is intense or noticeable.
Means 'highly fragrant' or 'rich in aroma'. Often used for tea, coffee, or wine.
This coffee is highly fragrant.
Literally 'the smell is strong'. Can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant smells, but when combined with 香り it implies a strong, pleasant fragrance.
This perfume has a strong fragrance.
To actively enjoy a scent, like smelling a flower.
Means 'to smell a fragrance'. 嗅ぐ (kagu) is the verb for intentionally smelling something.
Try smelling the fragrance of the flowers.
香り (kaori) generally refers to a pleasant smell, while 匂い (nioi) is neutral and can be good or bad. When you want to emphasize that something smells good, use 香り or いい匂い. 臭い (kusai) means 'stinky' and should be avoided when talking about fragrance.
This flower has a nice fragrance.
This flower has a strange smell.
There is no direct verb 'to be fragrant' in Japanese. Avoid literal translations like 香りである (kaori de aru). Instead, use 香りがいい or 香る.
This flower is fragrant.
The plum blossoms are fragrant.
The room is fragrant with the scent of flowers.
このパン屋さんはいつもいい匂いがする。
This bakery always smells good.
A fragrant aroma is wafting through the air.