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.
She is wearing a new perfume.
Where can I buy this perfume?
Loanword from English, often used in marketing or to sound more sophisticated. Can refer to any scented product.
Specifically eau de cologne, a lighter concentration. Sometimes used generically for men's fragrances.
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.
The scent of flowers filled the room.
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.
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.
I like the scent of this flower.
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.
This fragrance is unisex.
He is wearing cologne.
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.