Japanese word

香水

Pronunciation

Romajikōsui

Meaning

  • nounperfume

Example

出かける前に香水をつけます。de ka ke ru mae ni kō sui o tsu ke ma su

I put on perfume before going out.

Illustration for 香水 (perfume)

More examples

この香水は、さわやかな香りがします。ko no kō sui wa sa wa ya ka na kao ri ga shi ma su

This perfume has a fresh scent.

Core concept

Describes a concentrated scented liquid used to give the body or clothes a lasting pleasant smell.

Common phrases

  • 香水をつけるkō sui o tsu ke ru

    wear perfume

  • 香水を選ぶkō sui o era bu

    choose perfume

  • 香水を試すkō sui o tame su

    try perfume

  • 香水を買うkō sui o ka u

    buy perfume

Definition in Japanese

身につけたり衣服などにふりかけたりしてよい香りをつける液体。mi ni tsu ke ta ri i fuku na do ni fu ri ka ke ta ri shi te yo i kao ri o tsu ke ru eki tai

Word origin

The Japanese compound 香水 (kōsui) combines 香 (kō, "fragrance") with 水 (sui, "water"), literally presenting fragrance as a liquid.

Usage tips

  • In English, wear perfume describes having perfume on the body, while put on perfume describes applying it.

Other meanings

  • scentnoun

Word lists with this word