Translation guide
Describes something that has a pleasant smell, often used for flowers, food, and incense. Japanese has several words for 'fragrant' depending on what is being described and the context.
This flower is fragrant, isn't it?
I like fragrant coffee.
Literally 'gives off a good smell'. Natural and commonly used in conversation.
This tea is fragrant.
A literary or formal word for fragrant, often used for tea, coffee, or incense. Not common in daily speech.
I had a fragrant black tea.
Specifically for flowers, blossoms, or herbs that have a sweet or pleasant scent.
Used as an adjective before a noun, e.g., 'fragrant flower'. Very common.
I'm looking for fragrant flowers.
Similar to 香りが良い but 匂い can be neutral or negative, so it's less elegant. Still used for flowers.
This rose is fragrant.
Literary expression meaning 'to emit a fragrance'. Used in writing or poetic descriptions.
Describing the pleasant aroma of food, such as baked goods, spices, or beverages.
Describes a roasted, nutty, or toasty fragrance, like coffee, toasted bread, or sesame. Very common for food.
There's a fragrant smell of bread.
Means 'rich in flavor/aroma', often used for tea, wine, or complex dishes.
This is a fragrant tea, isn't it?
For scents that are intentionally created, like incense, essential oils, or perfume.
香り (kaori) usually implies a pleasant fragrance, while 匂い (nioi) can be neutral or negative. For 'fragrant', 香り is safer and more elegant. 匂い is used for stronger or more everyday smells, like food or body odor.
I like the fragrance of flowers.
A good smell is coming from the kitchen.
The English loanword フレグラント (fureguranto) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to native expressions.
Fragrant flowers are blooming in the garden.
This coffee is very fragrant.
She is wearing a fragrant perfume.