Translation guide
Describes something that has a pleasant smell, often used for flowers, food, and incense. Japanese has several words for 'fragrant' depending on what is being described and the context.
To describe something that smells good, without specifying the source.
A common and versatile phrase meaning 'has a good fragrance'. Can be used for many things like flowers, food, and perfume.
この花は香りが良いですね。
This flower is fragrant, isn't it?
I like fragrant coffee.
Literally 'gives off a good smell'. Natural and commonly used in conversation.
このお茶は良い香りがします。
This tea is fragrant.
A literary or formal word for fragrant, often used for tea, coffee, or incense. Not common in daily speech.
芳しい香りの紅茶をいただきました。
I had a fragrant black tea.
Specifically for flowers, blossoms, or herbs that have a sweet or pleasant scent.
Used as an adjective before a noun, e.g., 'fragrant flower'. Very common.
香りの良い花を探しています。
I'm looking for fragrant flowers.
Similar to 香りが良い but 匂い can be neutral or negative, so it's less elegant. Still used for flowers.
このバラは匂いが良い。
This rose is fragrant.
Literary expression meaning 'to emit a fragrance'. Used in writing or poetic descriptions.
庭に芳香を放つ花が咲いている。
Fragrant flowers are blooming in the garden.
Describing the pleasant aroma of food, such as baked goods, spices, or beverages.
Describes a roasted, nutty, or toasty fragrance, like coffee, toasted bread, or sesame. Very common for food.
香ばしいパンの匂いがする。
There's a fragrant smell of bread.
このコーヒーはとても香ばしい。
This coffee is very fragrant.
Means 'rich in flavor/aroma', often used for tea, wine, or complex dishes.
風味豊かな紅茶ですね。
This is a fragrant tea, isn't it?
For scents that are intentionally created, like incense, essential oils, or perfume.
Literally 'high fragrance', meaning elegantly fragrant. Often used for incense, perfume, or high-quality tea.
香り高いお香を焚いています。
I'm burning fragrant incense.
Same reading as 香り高い but uses a more elegant kanji for 'fragrance'. Suggests a refined, lingering scent.
薫り高い香水をつけている。
She is wearing a fragrant perfume.
香り (kaori) usually implies a pleasant fragrance, while 匂い (nioi) can be neutral or negative. For 'fragrant', 香り is safer and more elegant. 匂い is used for stronger or more everyday smells, like food or body odor.
花の香りが好きです。
I like the fragrance of flowers.
台所から良い匂いがする。
A good smell is coming from the kitchen.
The English loanword フレグラント (fureguranto) is not commonly used in Japanese. Stick to native expressions.