香り・薫り・馨り|かおりkaori[0]heiban (flat)

1. nounaroma; fragrance; scent; smell
   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.

• Synonym芳香ほうこうWrittenWritten word for a sweet, fragrant aroma, as in 「芳香剤」; more formal than 「香り」.
• Synonym香気こうきWrittenWritten word for a pleasant fragrance, seen mostly in literature or in tasting tea and wine; in everyday speech say 「香り」.
• Synonym匂いにおいNeutralSame word as 「匂い」, also written 「臭い」; can also mean an atmosphere or a hint of something, as in 「事件の匂い」.
• Synonym馨香けいこうWrittenWritten word for a sweet fragrance; figuratively also a good reputation. Almost never used in modern Japanese.
• SynonymアロマNeutralLoanword for the scent of essential oils or aromatherapy, as in 「アロマキャンドル」; also used of a wine's aroma.
• SynonymフレグランスNeutralLoanword for perfumes and scented products, as in 「フレグランスミスト」; can also mean the fragrance itself; has a product-marketing feel.
• Related臭みくさみNeutralAn unpleasant fishy or gamey smell, as in 「魚の臭みを取る」; the opposite of the pleasant 「香り」.
• Related匂いにおいNeutralSame word as 「匂い」, also written 「臭い」; can also mean an atmosphere or a hint of something, as in 「事件の匂い」.
• Related異臭いしゅうNeutralAn abnormal, foul smell, as in 「異臭がする」; common in reports of accidents; the opposite of 「香り」.
• Related薫香くんこうWrittenWritten word for incense or a fragrance; used mainly when incense is burned.
• Related臭味しゅうみNeutralSame word as 「臭み」, also written 「臭味」; figuratively an off-putting affectation in speech or writing, as in 「臭みのある文章」.

Use 「香り」 for a pleasant smell. For smell in general, good or bad, say 「匂い」; in formal prose prefer 「芳香」. For essential-oil scents say 「アロマ」, and for foul smells use 「臭み」 or 「異臭」.

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

1. （か、かおり）心地ここちよいにおい。