Translation and Meaning of: 香り - kaori

If you've ever wondered about the meaning of the Japanese word 香り[かおり], this article will help you understand everything about it. We will explore its basic meaning, how it is used in everyday Japanese, along with cultural curiosities and practical tips for memorization. Whether you are studying Japanese or just have an interest in the language, knowing terms like 香り can enrich your vocabulary and cultural understanding.

香り is one of those words that carries a sensory meaning, directly related to our experience with aromas and fragrances. In the Suki Nihongo dictionary, you will find not only the translation but also real usage examples, which facilitate learning. Here, we go beyond the simple definition and dive into the details that make this word something special in the Japanese language.

Meaning and use of 香り in Japanese

The word 香り[かおり] means "aroma," "fragrance," or "perfume." Unlike other terms related to smells, such as 匂い[におい], which can be neutral or even negative, 香り typically carries a positive connotation, associated with pleasant and delicate aromas. It is commonly found in contexts such as descriptions of flowers, teas, incenses, or even emotional memories linked to specific scents.

In daily life, the Japanese use 香り to refer to olfactory experiences that bring pleasure or awaken sensations. For example, upon entering a tea shop, you might hear someone say: "このお茶の香りはすばらしい" (kono ocha no kaori wa subarashii) – "The aroma of this tea is wonderful". This type of usage reinforces how the word is tied to moments of appreciation and refinement.

Origin and writing of the kanji 香り

The kanji 香, which makes up the word 香り, is formed by the radicals 禾 (grain ear) and 日 (sun). This combination suggests the idea of something that "spreads like the aroma of rice cooked in the sun." Etymologically, it carries the notion of fragrance that dissipates in the air, which makes perfect sense when we think about how scents behave in the environment.

It's worth noting that 香 is a common character in Japanese, appearing in other words such as 香水 (kōsui – perfume), 香辛料 (kōshinryō – spices), and 線香 (senkō – incense). Its frequent use in compounds related to scents reinforces its importance in the Japanese vocabulary. For those learning, recognizing this kanji can be a shortcut to understanding various other words.

Tips for memorizing and using 香り

An effective way to fix 香り in memory is to associate it with striking olfactory experiences. For example, when you smell a flower or a favorite dish, try thinking: "これはいい香りだ" (kore wa ii kaori da) – "This smells good." This practice helps connect the word to real sensations, making learning more natural and lasting.

Another tip is to pay attention to the use of 香り in animes, dramas, or Japanese music. Often, it appears in scenes that evoke nostalgia or emotions, such as someone remembering the scent of a loved one. Contexts like these not only facilitate memorization but also show how the word is connected to deep feelings in Japanese culture.

Fragrance in Japanese culture

In Japan, the appreciation of scents goes beyond everyday life and intertwines with traditions such as the tea ceremony and kōdō, the art of enjoying incense. In these contexts, 香り is not just a smell, but an experience that engages all the senses and requires mindful attention. This appreciation of aroma as something refined and culturally significant shows how the word is rooted in the Japanese way of life.

Moreover, 香り frequently appears in Japanese literature and poetry, especially in haiku, where a simple scent can evoke entire seasons. For example, the smell of blossoming plum trees at the beginning of spring or the aroma of dry leaves in autumn is described with 香り to convey not only a smell but an entire atmosphere. This artistic use reveals the depth and sensitivity that the Japanese attribute to aromas.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 香り (Kaori) - Aroma, fragrance
• かおり (Kaori) - Aroma, fragrance
• かぐわしい (Kaguwashii) - Fragrant, pleasant
• におい (Nioi) - Smell, odor (may have a negative connotation)
• かんばしい (Kanbashii) - Fragrant, good smell, pleasant
• ほのか (Honoka) - Light, subtle aroma
• かおりづくし (Kaoridzukushi) - Filled with aroma, abundance of scents
• かおりづくり (Kaoridzukuri) - Creation of aroma, fragrance manufacturing
• かおりづくる (Kaoridzukuru) - Produce fragrance, create aroma
• かおりづくりの (Kaoridzukuri no) - Regarding the creation of aroma
• かおりづくりのもの (Kaoridzukuri no mono) - Produced with fragrance
• かおりづくりの香り (Kaoridzukuri no kaori) - Fragrance of the aroma creation process
• かおりづくりの香水 (Kaoridzukuri no kousui) - Fragrance of aroma creation
• かおりづくりの芳香 (Kaoridzukuri no houkou) - Aroma or fragrance of the aroma creation process
• かおりづくりの香料 (Kaoridzukuri no kouryou) - Ingredients or essences of aroma creation
• かおりづくりの香りの (Kaoridzukuri no kaori no) - The scent of fragrance creation
• かおりづくりの香りを (Kaoridzukuri no kaori wo) - The aroma of fragrance creation
• かおりづくりの香りが (Kaoridzukuri no kaori ga) - The created aroma is
• かおりづくりの香りに (Kaoridzukuri no kaori ni) - Regarding the scent of fragrance creation
• かおりづく (Kaoridzuku) - To have aroma, to exhale fragrance

香り

Romaji: kaori
Kana: かおり
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n3

Translation / Meaning: aroma; fragrance; smell; odor

Meaning in English: aroma;fragrance;scent;smell

Definition: A fragrance or smell emitted by an object or place.

Example Sentences - (香り) kaori

See below some example sentences:

燃える木の香りが漂う。

Moeru ki no kaori ga tadayou

The burning wood aroma is in the air.

The perfume of wood burning.

• 燃える - burn
• 木 - wood
• の - Possession particle
• 香り - aroma
• が - subject particle
• 漂う - float, hover

この花はとても良い香りが匂う。

Kono hana wa totemo yoi kaori ga niou

This flower has a very pleasant smell.

This flower smells very well.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this" or "this here"
• 花 - noun meaning "flower"
• は - topic particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "this flower"
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• 良い - adjective meaning "good"
• 香り - noun meaning "fragrance" or "smell"
• が - subject particle indicating the subject of the sentence, in this case "the smell"
• 匂う - verb meaning "to smell"

この料理の香りはとてもいいですね。

Kono ryōri no kaori wa totemo ii desu ne

The perfume of this dish is very good.

• この - demonstrative pronoun that means "this"
• 料理 - noun that means "kitchen" or "culinary"
• の - particle that indicates possession or belonging
• 香り - noun that means "aroma" or "perfume"
• は - Particle indicating the topic of the sentence
• とても - adverb meaning "very"
• いい - adjective meaning "good"
• です - verb to be in the polite form
• ね - particle indicating a rhetorical question or confirmation