Translation guide
In Japanese, expressing 'fragrance' depends on whether the smell is pleasant, neutral, or specific to a source. The most common word is 香り (kaori), which implies a pleasant, often subtle scent. Other words like 匂い (nioi) and 臭い (nioi) carry different nuances, and there are also more poetic or formal terms.
Describing a generally pleasant, often delicate or natural smell, such as from flowers, tea, or perfume.
The most common and versatile word for a pleasant fragrance. It often implies a refined, gentle scent.
この花の香りが好きです。
I like the fragrance of this flower.
紅茶の香りが部屋に広がった。
The fragrance of black tea filled the room.
A neutral word for smell. Can be pleasant or unpleasant depending on context, but when used for fragrance, it is often modified by an adjective like いい (good). Less elegant than 香り.
いい匂いがする。
There's a nice fragrance.
この香水の匂いは強い。
The fragrance of this perfume is strong.
A formal or literary word for a sweet, pleasant fragrance. Often used in product descriptions or poetic contexts.
バラの芳香が庭に漂っている。
The fragrance of roses drifts through the garden.
Referring to the characteristic pleasant smell of something like coffee, bread, or the ocean.
Used for the pleasant, distinctive scent of many things, especially food and nature.
コーヒーの香りで目が覚めた。
I woke up to the fragrance of coffee.
焼きたてのパンの香りが食欲をそそる。
The fragrance of freshly baked bread whets the appetite.
Also common for specific scents, but can sound more casual or direct. Often used with 〜の匂い.
Referring to manufactured scents like perfume, cologne, or air freshener.
The standard word for perfume. Can refer to the liquid itself or its scent.
彼女はいつもいい香水をつけている。
She always wears a nice fragrance.
Can be used for the scent of a perfume, emphasizing its pleasantness.
Describing a fragrance that remains in the air or on an object after the source is gone.
Specifically means a lingering fragrance, often poetic. Commonly used for perfume left on clothing or in a room.
彼のジャケットに彼女の残り香がした。
His jacket carried the lingering fragrance of her perfume.
A literary term for lingering fragrance, often used in poetry or formal writing.
花の余香が風に乗ってきた。
The lingering fragrance of flowers came on the wind.
香り (kaori) is inherently positive and elegant. 匂い (nioi) is neutral and can be good or bad depending on context. 臭い (nioi, written with a different kanji) is almost always negative (stench). Be careful with the kanji: 匂い is neutral, 臭い is bad.
この花はいい香りがする。
This flower has a nice fragrance.
この花はいい匂いがする。
This flower smells good (more casual).
この花は臭い。
This flower stinks.
フレグランス (fragrance) is a loanword used almost exclusively for commercial perfumes and scented products. It sounds unnatural for flowers, food, or nature.
It smells like the ocean (pleasant fragrance).
Loanword from English, used especially in marketing or fashion contexts for perfumes and scented products.
このフレグランスは人気がある。
This fragrance is popular.
The fragrance of this perfume lasts long.