Parfüm
/paʁˈfyːm/neuter
The English word 'perfume' is translated into German as Parfüm. It is also spelled Parfum. Wiktionary also lists Duftstoff.
Meaning: substance providing a pleasant smell (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Parfüm | /paʁˈfyːm/ (standard) /paʁˈfœ̃ː/ (especially) |
neuter |
| Duftstoff | masculine | |
| Parfum | /paʁˈfœ̃ː/ | neuter, alternative form |
The term refers to a substance providing a pleasant smell. If you want to say someone is 'wearing' a perfume, use the verb tragen rather than anziehen. You can also use the verb parfümieren to mean 'to apply perfume to', and the adjective parfümiert describes something that has been scented.
Which one should you use?
While Parfüm refers to the finished product one wears, Duftstoff refers to the chemical substance or ingredient used to create a scent.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun Parfüm is a neuter noun, so it takes the neuter article das.
How do you pronounce it?
/paʁˈfyːm/
Did you know?
- The word Parfüm shares its DNA with the English word 'fume', as both stem from the Latin fūmus meaning 'smoke'.
- When discussing the 'sillage' or the trail of perfume left in the air, Germans often use the phrase Duftwolke, which literally means 'scent cloud'.
- While Parfüm describes the product, Germans use the word Duftnote to describe the 'scent notes' or individual layers of a fragrance.
Examples in context
- Gefällt dir dieses Parfum?Do you like this perfume?This sentence is useful for asking if someone likes a specific Parfum.Tatoeba #6911290 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3123350 by CK
- Alice trägt ein süßes Parfum.Alice is wearing a sweet-smelling perfume.This sentence is useful for describing someone wearing a sweet-smelling Parfum.Tatoeba #673705 by samueldora, translation #569611 by CN
- Er konnte ihr Parfum riechen.He could smell her perfume.Tatoeba #3163291 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3163286 by Hybrid
- Entschuldigen Sie, haben Sie Parfüm?Excuse me, do you have any perfume?
- Ihr Duftwasser riecht wirklich angenehm.Your perfume smells really pleasant.
- Hast du das neue Parfum von Chanel schon gerochen?Have you smelled the new perfume by Chanel?
- Dein Duft ist echt angenehm!Your perfume is really pleasant!
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Laura and Lukas are at a department store.
- LauraWelches Parfüm riecht am besten?Which perfume smells the best?
- LukasIch finde das Parfüm hier sehr frisch.I find the perfume here very fresh.
- LauraDas Parfüm ist wirklich sehr angenehm.The perfume is really very pleasant.
- LukasDann kauf es dir einfach!Then just buy it for yourself!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “perfume” translations and entries Parfüm, Duftstoff, Parfum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Duftstoff, Parfüm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
