taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle
strong (smell); pungent; fragrant
Describes a smell that is strong and noticeable, often a good or rich fragrance. Used as a 'taru' adjective or adverb with と.
The fragrance of flowers hung strongly in the room.
When she passed by, there was a strong scent of perfume.
vulgar; coarse; lacking in class
stinking; reeking; foul-smelling
Rare kanji spelling; the character 芬 means fragrance. The repetition mark 々 is used.
Kana spelling is the most practical and common way to write this word.
Alternate kanji spelling without the repetition mark.
The word is formed by reduplication of the kanji 芬 (fragrance) with the reading ふん, creating an emphatic mimetic-like expression. The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but it is used in literary contexts to describe a strong, usually pleasant smell.