How to say "perfume" in Japanese

• 香水こうすいJLPT N2approx.Common
  nounCovers perfume as a product: the scented liquid people wear. If you mean a bottle of perfume or putting perfume on, this is the word you want.
  彼女かのじょはいつも香水こうすいのにおいがきつすぎる。↗

  She always wears too much scent.
• 芳香ほうこうCommon
  no-adjectiveRefers to a pleasant fragrance or aroma given off by something, not a bottled perfume you wear. It is really a literary word for a fine scent in the air.
  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.
• 香料こうりょうCommon
  nounMeans fragrance or perfume as a substance or ingredient, such as flavorings and scents added to products. It is seldom the word for the perfume you wear; think of it as 'fragrance (ingredient)'.

Use 香水 for perfume as a scented liquid you wear, 芳香 for a pleasant fragrance in the air, and 香料 for fragrance as an ingredient or commercial substance.

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

• 香水こうすいperfume
• 芳香ほうこうperfume
• パフュームperfume
• パルファンperfume
• 匂わすにおわすto give off (a smell, scent, aroma)
• 匂わせるにおわせるto give off (a smell, scent, aroma)
• 馨香けいこうfragrance
• 香かsmell (esp. a good smell)
• 香料こうりょうfragrance