Translation guide
The English word "perfume" can refer to a scented liquid, a pleasant smell, or the act of scenting something. This guide covers natural Japanese expressions for each meaning.
Referring to a bottled fragrance product worn on the body.
The standard word for perfume as a product. Covers both Western-style perfumes and traditional scents.
彼女は新しい香水をつけている。
She is wearing a new perfume.
この香水はどこで買えますか？
Where can I buy this perfume?
Loanword from English, often used in marketing or to sound more sophisticated. Can refer to any scented product.
このフレグランスは男女兼用です。
This fragrance is unisex.
Specifically eau de cologne, a lighter concentration. Sometimes used generically for men's fragrances.
彼はオーデコロンをつけている。
He is wearing cologne.
Describing a sweet or pleasant scent, not necessarily from a product.
General word for a pleasant smell, often used for flowers, food, or nature. Can also refer to perfume scent.
花の香りが部屋いっぱいに広がった。
The scent of flowers filled the room.
このお茶は香りがいい。
This tea has a nice aroma.
Neutral word for smell; can be pleasant or unpleasant depending on context. Use with care.
Without positive modifiers, 匂い can sound negative. Use いい匂い for a good smell.
Formal/literary term for a sweet fragrance, often used in writing or product descriptions.
The action of putting on perfume or making something smell nice.
Standard phrase for applying perfume to one's body.
出かける前に香水をつけた。
I put on perfume before going out.
To add scent to something, like a room or object. Not typically used for applying perfume to oneself.
アロマオイルで部屋に香りをつける。
I scent the room with aroma oil.
香り (kaori) is inherently positive and often used for natural or elegant scents. 匂い (nioi) is neutral and can be negative without context. Use いい匂い for a good smell, but 香り is safer for compliments.
この花の香りが好きです。
I like the scent of this flower.
何か変な匂いがする。
There's a strange smell.
香水 refers specifically to manufactured perfume. For natural scents like flowers or food, use 香り or 匂い.
いい匂いがする。
It smells good.
庭に芳香が漂っている。
A sweet fragrance is drifting through the garden.