こうすい
kōsuieveryday
In hiragana, "perfume" is こうすい (kōsui). The word for a scent or fragrance is かおり (kaori).
Meaning: perfume (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| こうすい | kōsui | everyday |
| かおり | kaori | scent |
You wear it with つける (tsukeru): こうすいを つける (kōsui o tsukeru). For a nice smell, say いい かおり (ii kaori).
What does it mean word for word?
こうすい is 香水 in kanji, from こう (kō), "fragrance", and すい (sui), "water". かおり is 香り.
Which one should you use?
こうすい (kōsui) is a product you put on. かおり (kaori) is the scent itself, for flowers, tea and food too.
Did you know?
- In Japanese offices many people avoid strong perfume out of consideration, so light scents are more common at work.
Examples in context
- こうすいを つけています。Kōsui o tsukete imasu.I am wearing perfume.
- いい かおりですね。Ii kaori desu ne.It smells nice.
- たんじょうびに こうすいを もらった。Tanjōbi ni kōsui o moratta.I got perfume for my birthday.
Example conversation
Mana shops at a department store and talks to a clerk named Ms. Inoue.
- Manaこの こうすいは どんな かおりですか。Kono kōsui wa donna kaori desu ka.What does this perfume smell like?
- Ms. Inoueはなの やさしい かおりです。Hana no yasashii kaori desu.It is a soft floral scent.
- Manaじゃあ、これに します。Jā, kore ni shimasu.Then I will take this one.
