향수
hyangsu[ça̠ŋsʰu]
The English word "perfume" is translated into Korean as 향수 (hyangsu).
The word 향수 is a noun used to refer to a substance that provides a pleasant smell, specifically the liquid perfume product.
Meaning: substance providing a pleasant smell (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is a compound of 향, meaning scent or incense and 수, meaning water.
Which one should you use?
While 향수 refers to the liquid perfume product itself, the word 향기 is more commonly used to describe the pleasant scent or aroma that the product produces.
How do you pronounce it?
hyangsu
Did you know?
- The word 향수 is a homonym. Depending on the Hanja used, it can mean 'perfume' or 'homesickness', derived from the words for 'hometown' and 'grief'.
- In modern Korean social etiquette, wearing a very strong 향수 in enclosed public spaces like the subway is often viewed as inconsiderate, leading to a preference for subtle 'skin scents'.
- Korean beauty trends often emphasize 'natural' smells, leading to the popularity of 향수 that mimics the scent of soap or freshly laundered clothes rather than floral or musky notes.
Examples in context
- 나는 메리의 향수 냄새를 맡을 수 있다. 그녀는 좀 전에 여기에 있었음에 틀림없다.I can smell Mary's perfume. She must have been here earlier.This sentence is useful for describing the ability to smell someone's 향수.Tatoeba #5526659 by raining211, translation #2301338 by CK
- 저는 향수를 좋아합니다.I like perfume.
- 제 아내는 향수를 매일 사용합니다.My wife uses perfume every day.
- 어떤 향수가 좋아요?What perfume do you like?
- 이 향수는 향이 정말 좋아요.i hyangsuneun hyangi jeongmal joayo.This perfume smells really good.
- 새로 산 향수가 마음에 들어요.saero san hyangsuga maeume deureoyo.I like the new perfume I bought.
Example conversation
Minji and Hyunwoo are meeting at a cafe.
- 민지 Min-ji현우 씨, 향수 냄새가 너무 좋아요.hyeonu ssi, hyangsu naemsaega neomu joayo.Hyunwoo, your perfume smells lovely.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo정말요? 고마워요, 민지 씨.jeongmallyo? gomawoyo, minji ssi.Really? Thank you, Minji.
- 민지 Min-ji어떤 향수예요?eotteon hyangsuyeyo?What perfume is it?
- 현우 Hyeon-woo선물 받은 향수예요.seonmul badeun hyangsuyeyo.It is a perfume I received as a gift.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “perfume” translations and entries 향수, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 향수, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
