Translation and Meaning of: 香水 - kousui

If you've ever wondered what the Japanese word 香水[こうすい] means, this article will help you understand its meaning, origin, and usage in everyday Japan. In addition to exploring the correct translation and writing, we will dive into cultural curiosities and practical tips for those studying Japanese. Whether to expand your vocabulary or simply satisfy your curiosity, you will find everything about this word here in a clear and straightforward manner.

Meaning and translation of 香水 [こうすい]

The word 香水[こうすい] is composed of the kanji 香 (aroma, fragrance) and 水 (water), forming the term that means "perfume." Unlike other languages, Japanese often builds words from the logical combination of ideograms, and this is a great example. While in Portuguese we use a word of Latin origin, in Japanese the construction is visual and descriptive.

It is worth noting that 香水 does not refer only to expensive or luxurious perfumes. In Japan, the term is used for any type of liquid fragrance, from the simplest versions to those of international brands. This neutrality in usage makes the word appear in various contexts, from everyday conversations to cosmetic advertisements.

Origin and cultural use of the word

Although the concept of perfumery has existed in Japan for centuries, the word 香水 gained popularity during the Meiji period (1868-1912), when the country began to import more Western products. Before that, the Japanese used terms like 香り物 (kōrimono) or 匂い袋 (nioibukuro) to refer to scents and scented pouches. The adoption of the current term reflects the external cultural influence on the modernization of the Japanese vocabulary.

Nowadays, 香水 is a common word in department stores, advertisements, and even in animes that depict everyday Japanese life. An interesting fact is that, unlike some Western countries where strong perfumes are common, in Japan there is a preference for subtle and fresh fragrances, often featuring notes of green tea, cherry blossoms, or citrus.

Tips for memorizing and using correctly

An effective way to memorize 香水 is to associate the radicals of the kanji with their meaning. The character 香 (kō) appears in other words related to aroma, like 香り (kaori, "smell") and 香料 (kōryō, "spice"). On the other hand, 水 (sui) is one of the most basic kanji, present in terms such as 水泳 (suiei, "swimming") and 水曜日 (suiyōbi, "Wednesday"). This breakdown helps to retain the vocabulary in the long term.

When using the word in sentences, remember that 香水 (kōsui) is a common noun and does not require special particles. For example: この香水は高いです (Kono kōsui wa takai desu, "This perfume is expensive"). Avoid confusing it with 化粧水 (keshōsui), which means "facial toner," a common mistake among beginner students.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• フレグランス (fureguransu) - Fragrance, usually used to describe perfumes or pleasant scents.
• パフューム (pafyūmu) - Perfume, usually in liquid form and used for personal applications.
• 香り (kaori) - Scent or aroma can refer to natural or synthetic fragrances.

香水

Romaji: kousui
Kana: こうすい
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: perfume

Meaning in English: perfume

Definition: A scented liquid is applied to the body to create perfume.

Example Sentences - (香水) kousui

See below some example sentences:

私は毎日香水をつけます。

Watashi wa mainichi kōsui o tsukemasu

I use perfume every day.

• 私 (watashi) - personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - particle that marks the topic of the sentence, indicating that the subject is "I"
• 毎日 (mainichi) - adverb meaning "every day"
• 香水 (kōsui) - noun meaning "perfume"
• を (wo) - particle that marks the direct object of the sentence, indicating that the object is "perfume"
• つけます (tsukemasu) - verb meaning "put" or "apply", conjugated in the present affirmative