When you want to talk about perfume in Chinese, the word you need is 香水 (xiāngshuǐ).
It's a straightforward noun, and you can use it just like you would in English.
For example, you can say 我喜欢香水 (wǒ xǐhuān xiāngshuǐ), which means "I like perfume."
Or, if you want to ask about someone's perfume, you could say 这是你的香水吗？(zhè shì nǐ de xiāngshuǐ ma?) meaning "Is this your perfume?"
Alright, let's dive into some common slip-ups when using the word 香水 (xiāngshuǐ), which means perfume. It's a straightforward word, but there are a few places where learners often get tripped up. Pay attention, and you'll avoid these pitfalls.
§ Mistake 1: Confusing 香水 with other fragrant things
The biggest mistake is thinking that 香水 (xiāngshuǐ) can refer to anything that smells good. It specifically means 'perfume' or 'cologne.' It doesn't mean fragrant tea, scented candles, or even fragrant flowers in a general sense. While those things are indeed fragrant, they have their own specific Chinese terms.
- WRONG
- 我喜欢这朵花的香水。(Wǒ xǐhuān zhè duǒ huā de xiāngshuǐ.)
This literally translates to "I like this flower's perfume." A flower doesn't have perfume; it has a fragrance.
- CORRECT
- 我喜欢这朵花的香味。(Wǒ xǐhuān zhè duǒ huā de xiāngwèi.)
这朵花的香味很好闻。(Zhè duǒ huā de xiāngwèi hěn hǎowén.)
(This flower's fragrance smells very good.)
§ Mistake 2: Incorrect measure words for perfume
Like many nouns in Chinese, 香水 (xiāngshuǐ) needs a measure word. The most common and natural measure word for perfume (when referring to bottles of it) is 瓶 (píng).
- WRONG
- 我想买一个香水。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī gè xiāngshuǐ.)
Using 个 (gè) here isn't strictly incorrect, but it's less specific and sounds less natural than using 瓶 (píng).
- CORRECT
- 我想买一瓶香水。(Wǒ xiǎng mǎi yī píng xiāngshuǐ.)
她有好多瓶香水。(Tā yǒu hǎo duō píng xiāngshuǐ.)
(She has many bottles of perfume.)
§ Mistake 3: Misusing verbs with 香水
When talking about applying perfume, you'll hear different verbs. The most common and natural ones are 喷 (pēn) and 擦 (cā).
- 喷 (pēn): This means to spray. It's used for perfumes that come in a spray bottle, which is most common.
- 擦 (cā): This means to wipe or rub. You might use this for solid perfumes or roll-ons, though it's less common with modern liquid perfumes.
- WRONG
- 我穿香水。(Wǒ chuān xiāngshuǐ.)
While in English we say "wear perfume," in Chinese, 穿 (chuān) is specifically for clothes, shoes, or accessories. You don't "wear" perfume in Chinese.
- CORRECT
- 我喷香水。(Wǒ pēn xiāngshuǐ.)
她每天出门前都会喷香水。(Tā měitiān chūmén qián dōu huì pēn xiāngshuǐ.)
(She always sprays perfume before going out every day.)
§ Mistake 4: Not knowing about male-specific perfume terms
While 香水 (xiāngshuǐ) can be used generally for both male and female perfumes, if you want to be more specific for men's fragrance, you can say 男士香水 (nánshì xiāngshuǐ) or even more precisely, 古龙水 (gǔlóngshuǐ) for cologne.
他喜欢用清淡的古龙水。(Tā xǐhuān yòng qīngdàn de gǔlóngshuǐ.)
(He likes to use light cologne.)
By keeping these points in mind, you'll use 香水 (xiāngshuǐ) much more accurately and naturally. Practice these correct usages, and you'll sound like a pro in no time!
Beispiele nach Niveau
我喜欢你的香水。
I like your perfume.
她买了一瓶新香水。
She bought a new bottle of perfume.
这个香水闻起来很香。
This perfume smells very fragrant.
你有没有香水？
Do you have any perfume?
他不喜欢香水味。
He doesn't like the smell of perfume.
香水很贵。
Perfume is very expensive.
我妈妈用这种香水。
My mom uses this kind of perfume.
这个店里有很多香水。
There are many perfumes in this store.
她噴了一點香水，讓自己聞起來更迷人。
She sprayed a little perfume to make herself smell more charming.
A common way to say 'spray perfume' is 噴香水 (pēn xiāngshuǐ).
這款香水的味道很淡雅，我很喜歡。
The scent of this perfume is very subtle and elegant, I really like it.
味道 (wèidào) means 'smell' or 'taste'. 淡雅 (dànyǎ) describes a subtle and elegant quality.
他送給我一瓶香水作為生日禮物。
He gave me a bottle of perfume as a birthday present.
瓶 (píng) is a common measure word for bottles.
請注意，飛機上不能攜帶超過100毫升的香水。
Please note, you cannot carry more than 100 milliliters of perfume on the airplane.
攜帶 (xiédài) means 'to carry' or 'to bring'. 毫升 (háoshēng) is milliliter.
我對某些香水過敏，會打噴嚏。
I'm allergic to some perfumes, they make me sneeze.
對...過敏 (duì...guòmǐn) means 'allergic to...'. 打噴嚏 (dǎ pēntì) means 'to sneeze'.
這家店有很多不同品牌的香水可以選擇。
This store has many different brands of perfume to choose from.
品牌 (pǐnpái) means 'brand'. 選擇 (xuǎnzé) means 'to choose'.
她很少用香水，因為她覺得自然的味道更好。
She rarely uses perfume because she thinks natural scents are better.
很少 (hěnshǎo) means 'rarely' or 'seldom'. 自然 (zìrán) means 'natural'.
這款香水的包裝很精美，很適合送禮。
The packaging of this perfume is very exquisite, it's very suitable for gifting.
包裝 (bāozhuāng) means 'packaging'. 精美 (jīngměi) means 'exquisite' or 'beautiful'.
Teste dich selbst 6 Fragen
You are writing a review of a new perfume. Describe its scent, its packaging, and who you would recommend it to. Use '香水' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
这款新香水，名为“晨露”，它的味道清新淡雅，带有淡淡的花香和一丝柑橘的活力。包装设计简约而不失奢华，磨砂玻璃瓶身搭配金色瓶盖，尽显高级感。我会将这款香水推荐给那些追求自然、优雅，喜欢在日常生活中增添一份精致感的女性。无论是上班通勤还是休闲聚会，它都能恰到好处地展现佩戴者的独特魅力。
Imagine you are explaining to a friend why you prefer natural, essential oil-based perfumes over synthetic ones. Use '香水' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我最近越来越倾向于使用天然精油香水，而不是那些市面上常见的合成香水。我觉得天然香水不仅味道更纯粹、有层次感，而且对皮肤也更温和。合成香水虽然留香持久，但有些成分可能会引起过敏，甚至对健康有潜在影响。我更喜欢那种与大自然亲近的感觉，每次使用精油香水都像是在进行一次芳疗，能让人放松身心。你有没有尝试过呢？
Describe a memorable gift you received that included perfume. What was the occasion, who gave it to you, and why was it special? Use '香水' at least once.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
我收到的最难忘的礼物之一是一瓶香水。那是我21岁生日的时候，我的男朋友送给我的。他知道我一直想要一款特定的品牌香水，而且为了找到它，他跑了好几家店。这瓶香水不仅味道我很喜欢，更重要的是，它承载了他对我的心意和细心。每次闻到这款香水的味道，我都会想起那个特别的生日和我们之间美好的回忆。对我来说，这不仅仅是一瓶香水，更是一份珍贵的情感。
根据文章，消费者对香水的选择趋势是什么？
Read this passage:
近些年来，消费者对香水的选择越来越个性化。他们不再满足于大众品牌的流行款，而是开始寻找小众、独特的香水，甚至定制香水以彰显自己的品味和风格。这种趋势反映了现代社会中人们对自我表达和独特性的强烈追求。香水不仅仅是用来增加体香的，它更是一种无声的语言，传递着佩戴者的个性和情感。
根据文章，消费者对香水的选择趋势是什么？
文章中明确提到“他们不再满足于大众品牌的流行款，而是开始寻找小众、独特的香水，甚至定制香水以彰显自己的品味和风格”。
文章中明确提到“他们不再满足于大众品牌的流行款，而是开始寻找小众、独特的香水，甚至定制香水以彰显自己的品味和风格”。
以下哪项不是正确的香水保存方法？
Read this passage:
香水的保存需要注意避光、避高温和密封。阳光直射会破坏香水中的分子结构，导致香味变质。高温环境会加速香水的挥发，使其失去原有的芬芳。此外，香水瓶盖应盖紧，防止酒精挥发和空气进入，从而影响香水的品质和使用寿命。正确的保存方法能让你的香水保持更长时间的魅力。
以下哪项不是正确的香水保存方法？
文章中明确指出“高温环境会加速香水的挥发”和“避高温”。
文章中明确指出“高温环境会加速香水的挥发”和“避高温”。
在现代社会，香水主要被视为？
Read this passage:
许多文化中，香水都被赋予了特殊的意义。在古埃及，香水被用于宗教仪式和 embalming (防腐)过程。欧洲中世纪，香水被认为是抵御疾病和恶灵的工具。而如今，香水更多地被视为一种时尚配饰，是个人品味的体现，也是社交场合中留下深刻印象的重要元素。尽管时代变迁，香水在人类社会中的地位依然举足轻重。
在现代社会，香水主要被视为？
文章中提到“而如今，香水更多地被视为一种时尚配饰，是个人品味的体现”。
文章中提到“而如今，香水更多地被视为一种时尚配饰，是个人品味的体现”。
/ 6 correct
Perfect score!
Beispiel
她喜欢喷法国香水。
