How to say "fragrant" in Japanese

• 香ばしいこうばしいCommon
  i-adjectiveCovers the savory, toasty side of 'fragrant': the appetizing smell of roasted beans or tea, burning wood, and similar aromas. Use it when the scent is appealing because it is roasted or savory-smelling rather than sweet.
  オーブントースターのタイマーが鳴なる。食パンしょくぱんがコンガリ焼やけた、香こうばしい匂におい。↗

  The toaster-oven's timer rings. The fragrant smell of well toasted bread.
• 芳しいかんばしいCommon
  i-adjectiveThe closest general word for a sweet-smelling, fragrant or aromatic scent, typically of flowers and other pleasant odors. Note that in negative expressions like 芳しくない it often means 'not favorable' about results, not smell.
• 甘いあまいJLPT N5approx.Common
  i-adjectiveAs 'fragrant (smelling)', it describes a scent that seems sweet, but this is a secondary sense; the everyday meaning of 甘い is 'sweet' in taste, and it also describes sweet, soothing music. For fragrance in general, the other two are usually better.
  ゆりは甘あまい香かおりがする。↗

  Lilies smell sweet.

Use 「香ばしい」 for savory, roasted or burning aromas, 「芳しい」 for sweet, pleasant fragrances, and 「甘い」 for a sweet-smelling quality (or sweet music) rather than fragrance in general.

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

• 香ばしいこうばしいaromatic (roasted beans, roasted tea, etc.)
• 芳しいかんばしいsweet-smelling
• 馥郁ふくいくfragrant
• 香り高いかおりたかいfragrant
• かぐわしいsweet-smelling
• 甘いあまいfragrant (smelling)