Ways to say it
| Portuguese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cheiro | /ˈʃe(j).ɾu/ (Brazil) /ˈʃɐj.ɾu/ (Portugal) /ˈt͡ʃej.ɾu/ (Northern, Portugal) /ˈʃej.ɾu/ (Central, Portugal) /ˈʃe.ɾu/ (Portugal, Southern) |
masculine |
| aroma | /aˈɾõ.mɐ/ (Brazil) /ɐˈɾo.mɐ/ (Portugal) |
masculine |
| odor | /oˈdoʁ/ (Brazil) /oˈdoɾ/ (São Paulo) /oˈdoʁ/ (Rio de Janeiro) /oˈdoɻ/ (Caipira) /ɔˈdoɾ/ (Portugal) /ɔˈdo.ɾi/ (Portugal, Southern) |
masculine |
In Portuguese, the word you choose depends on whether the smell is pleasant or unpleasant. If you are talking about a distinctive, pleasant or food-related scent, use aroma. If you want to express the act of detecting or perceiving a scent, you can use the phrase sentir cheiro (o). To describe the act of imparting an odour to something, you can use perfumar or odorizar.
Which one should you use?
The three main forms carry different connotations: aroma is used for positive, pleasant scents such as flowers or food. cheiro is the most common and neutral word that can describe any smell, whether good or bad. And odor is typically used for unpleasant or strong smells, often in technical or medical contexts.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Brazilian Portuguese, the word cheiro is sometimes used informally to replace the word for perfume.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
All three forms, cheiro, aroma and odor, are masculine nouns.
Did you know?
- The word cheiro is derived from the verb cheirar, which comes from the Sicilian word çagru.
- In a Portuguese context, calling something an odor without a modifier can be an insult, as it strongly implies a foul smell.
- While 'cheiro' is neutral, you can use the phrase sentir cheiro a algo to mean that something smells like a specific scent.
Examples in context
- Há um aroma delicioso no ar. Sente?There's a delicious scent in the air. Can you smell it?This sentence shows how to use aroma to describe a delicious scent in the air.Tatoeba #1074217 by alexmarcelo, translation #9670098 by kremel
- Um delicado aroma de jasmim preenche o ar.A delicate scent of jasmine fills the air.This sentence shows how to use aroma to describe a floral scent.Tatoeba #4620917 by carlosalberto, translation #9456545 by Nylez
- O doce aroma dos seus lábios me inebriava.The sweet scent of her lips intoxicated me.This sentence shows how to use aroma in a poetic way to describe a scent.Tatoeba #11852621 by carlosalberto, translation #11852668 by carlosalberto
- Este cheiro é agradável.This scent is pleasant.
- Aroma de flores frescas preencheu o ar.The aroma of fresh flowers filled the air.
- A fragrância desse novo produto é única.The fragrance of this new product is unique.
- O bolo da vovó está muito cheiroso.Grandma's cake smells really good.
- Que cheirinho bom tem essa roupa nova!What a nice scent this new clothing has!
- Os bebês geralmente são cheirosinhos.Babies are usually so sweet-smelling.
- Esse cheiro é bom!This smell is good!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucas and Camila are in a small flower shop.
- CamilaLucas, sinta este aroma de rosas.Lucas, smell this scent of roses.
- LucasÉ realmente um aroma maravilhoso, Camila.It really is a wonderful aroma, Camila.
- CamilaVocê prefere este ou o de lírios?Do you prefer this one or the lily one?
- LucasO de lírios é mais suave.The lily one is milder.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “scent” translations and entries cheiro, aroma, odor, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries aroma, cheiro, odor, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
