How to say "fragrance" in Japanese

• 香りかおりJLPT N3approx.Common
  nounThe all-purpose word for a smell or scent, and the usual choice for 'fragrance': flowers, coffee and perfume all have 香り. It typically suggests a pleasant aroma.
  そのバラはよい香かおりを発散はっさんした。↗

  The roses gave off a nice smell.
• 芳香ほうこうCommon
  no-adjectiveCovers 'fragrance' as a sweet, delightful aroma — the word strongly connotes pleasantness, apt for describing flowers or a lovely scent filling a room. It feels a step more evocative than 香り.
  蓮れんの花はなはなんとも言いえない芳香ほうこうをはなっていた。↗

  The lotus blossoms diffused an inexpressibly pleasant scent.
• 香気こうきCommon
  nounMeans 'fragrance', but it is seldom the word you want for an actual scent — 香り is the natural choice there. Treat 香気 as a specialist term, met mainly in technical writing on aroma.
• 香料こうりょうCommon
  nounFragrance here means a substance, not a smell: scenting or flavoring agents used in food, cosmetics and incense. For an aroma you actually notice, use 香り.

Choose 「香り」 for any scent you notice; 芳香 for a sweet, delightful aroma; 香気 is a specialist term you seldom need; and 香料 is fragrance as an ingredient, never a smell itself.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 香りかおりaroma
• 芳香ほうこうperfume
• 香気こうきfragrance
• 香かsmell (esp. a good smell)
• フレグランスfragrance
• 幽香ゆうこうfragrance
• 馨香けいこうfragrance
• 薫香くんこうincense
• 芳香剤ほうこうざいair freshener
• 薫くんpleasant smell
• 香料こうりょうfragrance
• 気きfragrance