cheiroso in 30 Seconds
- Fragrant or having a pleasant smell.
- Used for things like flowers, food, and perfumes.
- Agrees in gender and number with the noun (cheiroso/cheirosa/cheirosos/cheirosas).
- Opposite of 'fedorento' (stinky).
The Portuguese word cheiroso is an adjective that describes something or someone as having a pleasant smell, being fragrant, or aromatic. It's a widely used and generally positive term in Portuguese. Think of it as the equivalent of 'fragrant,' 'smelly' (in a good way), or 'perfumed' in English. It’s a common descriptor for things that have a delightful aroma, making them appealing to the senses of smell. This word is not limited to just one type of thing; it can be used to describe a wide range of items, from natural elements to manufactured products and even people.
- Nature
- Flowers are often described as cheiroso. Imagine a garden full of roses or jasmine; the air would be filled with their pleasant scent, making the garden itself cheiroso.
- Food
- Certain foods, especially when freshly prepared or baked, can be wonderfully cheiroso. Think of freshly baked bread, a simmering stew with herbs, or ripe fruit like mangoes or strawberries. The aroma enhances the experience of enjoying them.
- Products
- Many household products are designed to be cheiroso. This includes perfumes, colognes, scented candles, air fresheners, soaps, and lotions. The primary purpose of these items is often to impart a pleasant smell.
- People
- While less common than describing objects, people can also be described as cheiroso if they smell good, perhaps due to wearing perfume or having a naturally pleasant body odor. It’s a compliment to say someone is cheiroso.
- Environments
- An entire place can be described as cheiroso if it has a generally pleasant smell. For example, a bakery on a busy street might make the surrounding area smell cheiroso, or a freshly cleaned room can be described as such.
A rosa vermelha está muito cheirosa hoje.
The word cheiroso is derived from 'cheiro,' which means 'smell' or 'scent.' Adding the suffix '-oso' (or '-osa' for feminine) creates an adjective meaning 'full of' or 'characterized by.' So, cheiroso literally means 'full of good smell.' It’s a delightful word to learn because it’s used frequently in everyday conversation and can add a layer of sensory description to your Portuguese.
Using cheiroso is straightforward, but like many adjectives in Portuguese, it needs to agree in gender and number with the noun it modifies. Remember, the masculine singular form is cheiroso, the feminine singular is cheirosa, the masculine plural is cheirosos, and the feminine plural is cheirosas.
- Basic Sentence Structure
- The most common structure is Noun + Ser/Estar + Cheiroso/Cheirosa/Cheirosos/Cheirosas. 'Ser' is used for inherent qualities, while 'estar' is used for temporary states or conditions.
- Masculine Singular
- Use cheiroso when referring to a single masculine noun. For example, 'O perfume é cheiroso.' (The perfume is fragrant.) Here, 'perfume' is masculine singular.
- Feminine Singular
- Use cheirosa when referring to a single feminine noun. For example, 'A flor é cheirosa.' (The flower is fragrant.) 'Flor' is feminine singular.
- Masculine Plural
- Use cheirosos when referring to multiple masculine nouns. For example, 'Os sabonetes são cheirosos.' (The soaps are fragrant.) 'Sabonetes' is masculine plural.
- Feminine Plural
- Use cheirosas when referring to multiple feminine nouns. For example, 'As velas são cheirosas.' (The candles are fragrant.) 'Velas' is feminine plural.
Este bolo recém-assado está muito cheiroso.
A casa ficou cheirosa depois de limpar.
You can also place the adjective before the noun for emphasis or a more poetic effect, though this is less common for simple descriptions like this. For instance, 'Que dia cheiroso!' (What a fragrant day!), implying the air is pleasant-smelling. When describing people, it's usually in the context of them having used a pleasant-smelling product, or if they naturally have a pleasant scent.
Consider the context: if you are talking about a bouquet of flowers (um buquê de flores - masculine singular), you would say 'O buquê está cheiroso.' If you are talking about the flowers themselves (as flores - feminine plural), you would say 'As flores estão cheirosas.'
You'll encounter the word cheiroso in a multitude of everyday situations in Portuguese-speaking countries. Its pleasant connotation makes it a go-to descriptor for anything that smells good.
- Home and Kitchen
- In Brazil and Portugal, people often comment on the aroma of food being prepared. 'Que cheiro cheiroso de bolo!' (What a fragrant smell of cake!) is a common exclamation. Also, describing a clean home as cheirosa (feminine, referring to 'casa' - house) is very typical, especially after cleaning or when using air fresheners.
- Shopping for Products
- When browsing for personal care items or home scents, salespeople or customers might use cheiroso. 'Este sabonete é muito cheiroso, não acha?' (This soap is very fragrant, don't you think?) is a phrase you might hear in a shop.
- Social Gatherings and Compliments
- At parties or social events, if someone is wearing a particularly nice perfume or cologne, a compliment might be, 'Você está cheiroso hoje!' (You smell good/fragrant today! - masculine) or 'Você está cheirosa hoje!' (feminine). It's a polite and pleasant way to acknowledge someone's scent.
- Gardens and Nature
- When discussing flowers, plants, or even fresh produce, cheiroso is frequently used. 'As rosas do meu jardim são tão cheirosas.' (The roses in my garden are so fragrant.)
- Describing Environments
- If you walk into a place that smells particularly pleasant, like a bakery, a flower shop, or even a well-kept spa, you might hear someone remark, 'Que lugar cheiroso!' (What a fragrant place!).
O mercado de flores estava incrivelmente cheiroso.
In essence, any time you want to convey that something has a pleasing aroma, cheiroso (or its variations) is the word to use. It’s a positive and common adjective that adds a sensory dimension to daily Portuguese communication.
While cheiroso is a relatively simple word, learners can sometimes make mistakes, primarily related to gender and number agreement, or overusing it in situations where a more specific word might be better.
- Gender and Number Agreement Errors
- The most frequent mistake is failing to match the adjective's ending (-o, -a, -os, -as) with the noun it describes. For example, saying 'A flor é cheiroso' instead of 'A flor é cheirosa.' Or 'Os perfumes são cheirosa' instead of 'Os perfumes são cheirosos.' Always check the gender and number of the noun.
- Confusing 'Cheiroso' with 'Aromático' or 'Perfumar'
- While related, these words have nuances. 'Aromático' often implies a more complex or specific scent, especially for spices or certain plants. 'Perfumar' is a verb meaning 'to perfume' or 'to scent.' Using cheiroso when 'aromático' is more precise, or using it where the verb 'perfumar' is needed, can be a mistake. For example, you wouldn't say 'O ar está cheiroso' if you mean 'The air smells fresh and clean' - 'fresco' might be better.
- Using it for Bad Smells
- This is a critical one. Cheiroso strictly means having a *pleasant* smell. Using it to describe something that smells bad is incorrect and would be confusing. For bad smells, use words like fedorento (stinky) or malcheiroso (bad-smelling).
- Overuse or Generic Description
- Sometimes, learners might use cheiroso when a more specific adjective would be better. For example, if a food has a specific enticing smell, you might say it smells 'delicioso' or has a 'saboroso' aroma, rather than just 'cheiroso'. However, for a general pleasant smell, cheiroso is perfectly fine.
- Confusing with 'Cheiro'
- 'Cheiro' is the noun for 'smell' or 'scent.' Learners might mistakenly use 'cheiroso' as a noun or vice-versa. For instance, saying 'Eu gosto do cheiroso' instead of 'Eu gosto do cheiro' (I like the smell).
Incorrecto: A lixeira está cheirosa.
Paying attention to these common pitfalls will help you use cheiroso accurately and effectively in your Portuguese conversations.
While cheiroso is a versatile and common word, Portuguese offers other words to describe pleasant scents, each with slightly different connotations or usage contexts. Understanding these alternatives will enrich your vocabulary.
- Aromático
- Cheiroso vs. Aromático: 'Aromático' often suggests a more complex, natural, or distinctive scent, frequently used for spices, herbs, or specific flowers. While a rose can be both cheirosa and aromática, 'aromático' might be preferred for something like cinnamon or basil. 'Aromático' is masculine singular, 'aromática' feminine singular, 'aromáticos' masculine plural, 'aromáticas' feminine plural.
- Perfumado
- Cheiroso vs. Perfumado: 'Perfumado' specifically implies a scent reminiscent of perfume, often artificial or intentionally applied. Something can be cheiroso without being 'perfumado' (like fresh bread), but a strongly scented lotion would be both. 'Perfumado' follows the same gender and number agreement rules as cheiroso.
- Fragante
- Cheiroso vs. Fragante: 'Fragante' is very similar to cheiroso and often used interchangeably, especially in literature or more formal contexts. It directly translates to 'fragrant.' It also requires gender and number agreement: fragrante (m/f singular), fragrantes (plural).
- Belo cheiro / Bom cheiro
- Cheiroso vs. 'Belo cheiro'/'Bom cheiro': These are noun phrases meaning 'nice smell' or 'good smell.' Instead of saying 'O café está cheiroso,' you could say 'O café tem um belo cheiro' (The coffee has a nice smell) or 'Sinto um bom cheiro de café' (I smell good coffee). These are useful when you want to highlight the smell itself as a noun.
- Antonyms: Fedorento / Malcheiroso
- To truly appreciate cheiroso, know its opposites. Fedorento means stinky or smelly (in a bad way). Malcheiroso means bad-smelling. For example, 'O lixo está fedorento' (The trash is stinky). These adjectives also agree in gender and number.
O incenso produziu um aroma aromático.
Choosing the right word depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. However, cheiroso remains a fundamental and highly useful adjective for describing anything with a delightful scent.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The suffix '-oso' is common in Portuguese and Spanish to create adjectives, similar to '-ous' or '-ful' in English. For example, 'famoso' (famous) from 'fama' (fame), or 'maravilhoso' (marvelous) from 'maravilha' (wonder).
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ch' as /tʃ/ (like 'church') instead of /ʃ/ (like 'shoe').
- Not rolling the 'r' sound, or pronouncing it too strongly.
- Pronouncing the final 'o' as a clear 'oh' sound instead of a softer 'oo' or 'uh' sound.
Difficulty Rating
CEFR A1. The word itself is simple and its meaning is easily understood from context. The main challenge is gender and number agreement, which is common for Portuguese adjectives.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective Agreement (Gender and Number)
O pão está cheiroso. (masculine singular) A flor está cheirosa. (feminine singular) Os bolos estão cheirosos. (masculine plural) As velas são cheirosas. (feminine plural)
Use of 'Ser' vs. 'Estar' with Adjectives
'Ser' for inherent qualities: O perfume é cheiroso. 'Estar' for temporary states: A casa está cheirosa (after cleaning).
Formation of Adjectives with '-oso/-osa'
From 'fama' (fame) comes 'famoso' (famous). From 'beleza' (beauty) comes 'belo'/'bonito' (beautiful), but related is 'formoso' (comely) from 'forma'.
Nouns and Adjectives related to Smell
Cheiro (noun) -> Cheiroso (adjective). Aroma (noun) -> Aromático (adjective).
Comparisons with 'como'
Ela está cheirosa como uma rosa.
Examples by Level
A flor é cheirosa.
The flower is fragrant.
Adjective 'cheirosa' agrees in gender (feminine) with noun 'flor'.
O pão está cheiroso.
The bread smells good.
Adjective 'cheiroso' agrees in gender (masculine) with noun 'pão'.
Gosto deste perfume cheiroso.
I like this fragrant perfume.
Adjective 'cheiroso' agrees in gender (masculine) with noun 'perfume'.
A casa está cheirosa.
The house smells nice.
Adjective 'cheirosa' agrees in gender (feminine) with noun 'casa'.
Que cheiro cheiroso!
What a pleasant smell!
Repetition emphasizes the pleasantness of the smell.
O sabonete é cheiroso.
The soap is fragrant.
Adjective 'cheiroso' agrees in gender (masculine) with noun 'sabonete'.
As velas são cheirosas.
The candles are scented.
Adjective 'cheirosas' agrees in gender and number (feminine plural) with noun 'velas'.
O jardim está cheiroso.
The garden is fragrant.
Adjective 'cheiroso' agrees in gender (masculine) with noun 'jardim'.
O aroma do café acabado de fazer é muito cheiroso.
The aroma of freshly made coffee is very fragrant.
Adjective 'cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
Comprei um ambientador novo para o carro, deixa tudo cheiroso.
I bought a new air freshener for the car, it leaves everything smelling nice.
Implied subject 'ambientador' (masculine singular) influences 'cheiroso'.
As crianças adoram o cheiro cheiroso do shampoo.
The children love the pleasant smell of the shampoo.
'Cheiroso' describes 'cheiro' (masculine singular).
Depois do banho, o meu pelo fica muito cheiroso.
After the bath, my hair becomes very fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'pelo' (masculine singular).
A sopa da avó tem um cheiro tão cheiroso!
Grandma's soup has such a pleasant smell!
'Cheiroso' describes 'cheiro' (masculine singular).
A loja de artigos para casa tinha velas muito cheirosas.
The home goods store had very fragrant candles.
'Cheirosas' agrees with 'velas' (feminine plural).
Ele usa um desodorizante que o deixa sempre cheiroso.
He uses a deodorant that always leaves him smelling good.
'Cheiroso' describes the person's state after using deodorant.
O ar da manhã no campo é fresco e cheiroso.
The morning air in the countryside is fresh and fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'ar' (masculine singular).
O perfume que ela escolheu para a ocasião era delicadamente cheiroso.
The perfume she chose for the occasion was delicately fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'perfume' (masculine singular).
Após a chuva, o cheiro de terra molhada é particularmente cheiroso.
After the rain, the smell of wet earth is particularly fragrant.
'Cheiroso' describes 'cheiro' (masculine singular).
A cozinha estava repleta de aromas cheirosos vindos do forno.
The kitchen was filled with fragrant aromas coming from the oven.
'Cheirosos' agrees with 'aromas' (masculine plural).
Os lençóis recém-lavados deixavam o quarto maravilhosamente cheiroso.
The freshly washed sheets left the room wonderfully fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'quarto' (masculine singular).
O incenso queima lentamente, libertando uma fragrância cheirosa.
The incense burns slowly, releasing a fragrant aroma.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'fragrância' (feminine singular).
Podem sentir o cheiro cheiroso das flores no jardim?
Can you smell the fragrant scent of the flowers in the garden?
'Cheiroso' describes 'cheiro' (masculine singular).
Ele sempre procura produtos de higiene pessoal que sejam cheirosos.
He always looks for personal hygiene products that are fragrant.
'Cheirosos' agrees with 'produtos' (masculine plural).
A brisa marítima trazia um cheiro salgado e cheiroso.
The sea breeze carried a salty and fragrant smell.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'cheiro' (masculine singular).
A combinação de ervas frescas criava um aroma intensamente cheiroso na sopa.
The combination of fresh herbs created an intensely fragrant aroma in the soup.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
O atelier de perfumaria exalava um perfume sofisticado e cheiroso.
The perfumery workshop exuded a sophisticated and fragrant scent.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'perfume' (masculine singular).
Após a limpeza, a casa ficou com um ar renovado e cheiroso.
After cleaning, the house had a refreshed and fragrant feel.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'ar' (masculine singular).
Os aromas das especiarias exóticas tornavam o mercado vibrante e cheiroso.
The aromas of exotic spices made the market vibrant and fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aromas' (masculine plural).
Ela aplicou um óleo essencial muito cheiroso nos seus difusores.
She applied a very fragrant essential oil to her diffusers.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'óleo essencial' (masculine singular).
O aroma do pão acabado de sair do forno é inconfundivelmente cheiroso.
The aroma of bread fresh from the oven is unmistakably fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
Os cosméticos naturais são conhecidos por serem cheirosos sem químicos agressivos.
Natural cosmetics are known for being fragrant without harsh chemicals.
'Cheirosos' agrees with 'cosméticos' (masculine plural).
O ambiente da sala de chá era acolhedor e perfumado, tornando-o muito cheiroso.
The atmosphere of the tea room was cozy and perfumed, making it very fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'ambiente' (masculine singular).
A fragrância complexa do perfume, com notas florais e amadeiradas, era excepcionalmente cheirosa.
The complex fragrance of the perfume, with floral and woody notes, was exceptionally fragrant.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'fragrância' (feminine singular).
A essência de lavanda no difusor criava uma atmosfera calmante e persistentemente cheirosa.
The lavender essence in the diffuser created a calming and persistently fragrant atmosphere.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'atmosfera' (feminine singular).
O vapor que emanava da sopa de cogumelos era rico e intensamente cheiroso.
The steam emanating from the mushroom soup was rich and intensely fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'vapor' (masculine singular).
Os jardins botânicos, repletos de flores exóticas, ofereciam uma experiência olfativa deslumbrante e cheirosa.
The botanical gardens, full of exotic flowers, offered a stunning and fragrant olfactory experience.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'experiência olfativa' (feminine singular).
A confeitaria era famosa pelos seus bolos que, além de deliciosos, eram sempre incrivelmente cheirosos.
The pastry shop was famous for its cakes which, besides being delicious, were always incredibly fragrant.
'Cheirosos' agrees with 'bolos' (masculine plural).
O aroma que se espalhava pela casa após assar o pão era reconfortante e profundamente cheiroso.
The aroma that spread through the house after baking bread was comforting and deeply fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
As notas de sândalo e baunilha no novo perfume criavam um rasto inconfundivelmente cheiroso.
The notes of sandalwood and vanilla in the new perfume created an unmistakably fragrant trail.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'rasto' (masculine singular).
O ritual de acender o incenso e meditar tornava o espaço sereno e aromaticamente cheiroso.
The ritual of lighting incense and meditating made the space serene and aromatically fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'espaço' (masculine singular).
A complexidade da composição olfativa, com acordes cítricos e florais, resultava numa fragrância notavelmente cheirosa.
The complexity of the olfactory composition, with citrus and floral accords, resulted in a remarkably fragrant scent.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'fragrância' (feminine singular).
O aroma etéreo das flores noturnas, que só se revelava sob o luar, era sutilmente cheiroso.
The ethereal aroma of nocturnal flowers, which only revealed itself under the moonlight, was subtly fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
A maestria do chef em combinar especiarias exóticas conferiu ao prato um perfume exalante e deliciosamente cheiroso.
The chef's mastery in combining exotic spices gave the dish an exalting and deliciously fragrant perfume.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'perfume' (masculine singular).
O ambiente zen do spa, com a difusão de óleos essenciais puros, era intrinsecamente cheiroso e relaxante.
The zen ambiance of the spa, with the diffusion of pure essential oils, was intrinsically fragrant and relaxing.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'ambiente' (masculine singular).
A brisa que soprava do mar trazia consigo um odor marinho, ao mesmo tempo salgado e surpreendentemente cheiroso.
The breeze blowing from the sea carried a marine odor, simultaneously salty and surprisingly fragrant.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'odor' (masculine singular).
As notas de base de sândalo e baunilha conferiam ao perfume uma assinatura duradoura e inebriantemente cheirosa.
The base notes of sandalwood and vanilla gave the perfume a lasting and inebriatingly fragrant signature.
'Cheirosa' agrees with 'assinatura' (feminine singular).
A arte de misturar flores raras permitiu criar arranjos que eram não apenas visualmente belos, mas também extraordinariamente cheirosos.
The art of mixing rare flowers allowed for the creation of arrangements that were not only visually beautiful but also extraordinarily fragrant.
'Cheirosos' agrees with 'arranjos' (masculine plural).
O aroma subtil da madeira de cedro, usado no mobiliário antigo, impregnava o ar com uma qualidade antiga e cheirosa.
The subtle aroma of cedarwood, used in antique furniture, permeated the air with an ancient and fragrant quality.
'Cheiroso' agrees with 'aroma' (masculine singular).
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— As fragrant as a rose. Used to describe something with a very pleasant, floral scent.
O sabonete novo dela é cheiroso como uma rosa.
— To make everything smell good. Often used when talking about air fresheners, perfumes, or cleaning products.
Este ambientador deixa o carro todo cheiroso.
— A pleasant smell. A slightly redundant but emphatic way to say something smells good.
Que cheiro cheiroso vem da cozinha!
— Fragrant skin. Used when someone's skin smells nice, perhaps due to lotion or perfume.
Depois de usar o creme, a pele dela ficou cheirosa.
— A house that smells pleasant, usually implying cleanliness or the use of air fresheners.
Adoro entrar numa casa cheirosa como esta.
— Fragrant hair. Referring to hair that smells nice, often after washing or using scented products.
O novo shampoo deixou os meus cabelos muito cheirosos.
— Fragrant air. Describes the atmosphere of a place that smells pleasant.
O ar da primavera é fresco e cheiroso.
— A wonderfully fragrant perfume. Emphasizes the pleasantness of a perfume.
Ela usava um perfume maravilhosamente cheiroso.
— Fragrant and inviting. Describes a smell that makes a place or thing appealing.
O aroma do pão acabado de fazer era cheiroso e convidativo.
— A fragrant touch. Can refer to a subtle, pleasant scent.
O lenço tinha um toque cheiroso de lavanda.
Often Confused With
'Cheiro' is the noun meaning 'smell' or 'scent.' 'Cheiroso' is the adjective meaning 'fragrant' or 'smelling nice.' You might mistakenly use 'cheiroso' when you mean 'cheiro,' for example, saying 'Eu gosto do cheiroso' instead of 'Eu gosto do cheiro.'
This is the direct antonym, meaning 'stinky' or 'foul-smelling.' Confusing 'cheiroso' (pleasant smell) with 'fedorento' (unpleasant smell) would lead to a significant misunderstanding.
Another antonym, meaning 'bad-smelling.' While similar to 'fedorento,' it's important to distinguish 'cheiroso' (good smell) from 'malcheiroso' (bad smell).
Idioms & Expressions
— Literally 'to smell of roses.' It means to be very pleasant, agreeable, or to indicate good fortune or success. It's often used ironically to describe a situation that is far from ideal.
Para ele, a vida é sempre cheirar a rosas. (For him, life is always smelling of roses - meaning always good.)
Informal/Slightly ironic— Literally 'to smell of mold.' This idiom means something is old-fashioned, outdated, or belongs to the past. It's the opposite of 'cheiroso' in the sense of freshness or modernity.
Essa ideia já cheira a mofo, precisamos de algo novo. (That idea already smells of mold - it's outdated.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of petroleum.' This idiom is used to describe someone who is very stingy or greedy, trying to get the most out of everything.
Ele não gasta um cêntimo, cheira a petróleo. (He doesn't spend a cent, he smells of petroleum - he's very stingy.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of fresh.' It implies that something is new, recently made, or has a clean, crisp scent. It's often used to describe newly washed clothes or clean air.
As roupas acabadas de lavar cheiram a fresco. (The freshly washed clothes smell fresh.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of burnt.' It indicates that something is wrong, there's trouble, or a situation is about to go badly. It's a warning sign.
Quando ele começou a falar sobre dinheiro, eu senti que cheirava a queimado. (When he started talking about money, I felt like something was burning - trouble was brewing.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of money.' It means that a situation or opportunity is likely to be profitable.
Este novo projeto cheira a dinheiro para a empresa. (This new project smells of money for the company.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of cabbage.' This idiom is used to describe someone who is cheap or stingy, similar to 'cheirar a petróleo' but perhaps more colloquial.
Ele nunca paga a conta inteira, cheira a couve. (He never pays the whole bill, he smells of cabbage - he's cheap.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of scorching.' Similar to 'cheirar a queimado,' it suggests that something is going wrong or there's a hidden problem.
Parece que esta proposta cheira a esturro, vamos investigar melhor. (It seems this proposal smells of scorching, let's investigate further.)
Informal— Literally 'to smell of perfume.' This is a straightforward description of something having a perfumed scent. It can be used literally or metaphorically for something pleasant.
Ela sempre chega cheirando a perfume. (She always arrives smelling of perfume.)
Neutral— Literally 'to smell of earth.' This refers to the distinct, fresh smell of soil, especially after rain. It evokes a connection to nature.
Adoro o cheiro a terra depois da chuva. (I love the smell of earth after the rain.)
NeutralEasily Confused
Both refer to smell, but 'aroma' is the noun for the smell itself, while 'cheiroso' is the adjective describing it.
'Aroma' is the pleasant smell (noun). 'Cheiroso' is the quality of having a pleasant smell (adjective). You can say 'O aroma é cheiroso' (The aroma is fragrant) or 'O bolo tem um aroma cheiroso' (The cake has a fragrant aroma).
O aroma de café é cheiroso.
Both describe a pleasant scent, but 'perfumado' specifically relates to the smell of perfume.
'Cheiroso' is a general term for any pleasant smell (like fresh bread or flowers). 'Perfumado' specifically implies a scent like that of perfume or cologne. A flower can be 'cheirosa' but not necessarily 'perfumada' in the artificial sense.
O sabonete é perfumado e cheiroso.
'Fragância' is the noun for 'fragrance,' similar to 'aroma' or 'cheiro.' It's the scent itself.
'Fragância' is the noun for the pleasant smell. 'Cheiroso' is the adjective describing something that possesses that pleasant smell. You can say 'A fragrância é cheirosa' (The fragrance is fragrant) or 'Este perfume tem uma fragrância cheirosa' (This perfume has a fragrant fragrance).
A fragrância da rosa é cheirosa.
Both describe pleasant smells, often used for natural things.
'Cheiroso' is a general term for pleasant smell. 'Aromático' often implies a more complex, distinctive, or natural scent, commonly used for herbs, spices, or certain flowers. For example, cinnamon is 'aromático,' while freshly baked cookies are 'cheirosos.'
O manjericão tem um cheiro aromático e cheiroso.
'Cheirar' is the verb 'to smell.' It can be used for both pleasant and unpleasant smells.
'Cheirar' is the action of smelling or the act of emitting a smell. 'Cheiroso' is the adjective describing the quality of having a pleasant smell. You 'cheirar' something, and if it smells good, it is 'cheiroso.' For example, 'O bolo cheira bem' (The cake smells good) means 'O bolo é cheiroso.'
Eu cheiro o bolo, e ele é cheiroso.
Sentence Patterns
O/A [noun] é cheiroso/a.
O pão é cheiroso.
O/A [noun] está cheiroso/a.
A flor está cheirosa.
Os/As [plural noun] são cheirosos/as.
Os sabonetes são cheirosos.
Um/Uma [noun] cheiroso/a.
Um perfume cheiroso.
Gosto do cheiro cheiroso de [noun].
Gosto do cheiro cheiroso de café.
O/A [noun] deixa tudo cheiroso.
O ambientador deixa o carro todo cheiroso.
O [noun] tem um aroma cheiroso.
O bolo tem um aroma cheiroso.
A fragrância [feminine noun] é intensamente cheirosa.
A fragrância das flores é intensamente cheirosa.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Very Common
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Using 'cheiroso' for bad smells.
→
Fedorento / Malcheiroso
'Cheiroso' exclusively means having a pleasant smell. Using it for something that stinks is incorrect. For example, you wouldn't say 'O lixo está cheiroso'; you would say 'O lixo está fedorento.'
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Incorrect gender agreement: 'A flor é cheiroso.'
→
A flor é cheirosa.
'Flor' is a feminine noun, so the adjective must also be feminine. Adjectives in Portuguese must agree in gender and number with the noun they modify.
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Incorrect number agreement: 'Os pães está cheiroso.'
→
Os pães estão cheirosos.
'Pães' is a masculine plural noun, so the adjective must be masculine plural ('cheirosos') and the verb must agree ('estão').
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Using 'cheiroso' as a noun.
→
Cheiro
'Cheiroso' is an adjective. The noun for 'smell' is 'cheiro.' For example, 'Eu gosto do <strong>cheiro</strong>' (I like the smell), not 'Eu gosto do <strong>cheiroso</strong>.'
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Confusing 'ser' and 'estar': 'A casa é cheirosa' when it's only temporarily pleasant.
→
A casa está cheirosa.
Use 'ser' for inherent or permanent qualities ('O perfume é cheiroso') and 'estar' for temporary states or conditions ('A casa está cheirosa' after cleaning).
Tips
Gender and Number Agreement
Remember that 'cheiroso' must agree with the noun it describes. Use 'cheiroso' for masculine singular nouns, 'cheirosa' for feminine singular, 'cheirosos' for masculine plural, and 'cheirosas' for feminine plural. For example, 'O perfume é cheiroso' but 'A flor é cheirosa'.
Distinguish from Antonyms
Always remember that 'cheiroso' specifically means a *pleasant* smell. Never use it for bad smells. Use 'fedorento' or 'malcheiroso' for unpleasant odors.
Common Collocations
Pay attention to common phrases like 'muito cheiroso' (very fragrant), 'cheiroso como uma rosa' (fragrant as a rose), and 'deixar tudo cheiroso' (to make everything smell nice). These will help you use the word more naturally.
Everyday Situations
You'll hear 'cheiroso' often when people talk about food, flowers, perfumes, candles, and clean environments. Try to use it when describing these things yourself.
Stress the Correct Syllable
The stress in 'cheiroso' falls on the second-to-last syllable: chei-RO-so. Practicing this rhythm will make your pronunciation sound more natural.
Visual Association
Connect 'cheiroso' with the image of a beautiful, fragrant rose (rosa). The 'chei-' sound can remind you of 'she' or 'say', and '-roso' sounds like 'rose-y'. Imagine a 'she' holding a 'rose-y' flower.
Ser vs. Estar
Use 'ser' for inherent qualities ('O perfume é cheiroso') and 'estar' for temporary states ('A casa está cheirosa depois da limpeza').
Beyond 'Cheiroso'
While 'cheiroso' is great, also learn related words like 'aromático' (for spices/herbs) and 'perfumado' (specifically like perfume) to add nuance to your descriptions.
Sentence Building
Create your own sentences using 'cheiroso' in different forms (cheiroso, cheirosa, cheirosos, cheirosas) describing various objects. This active practice solidifies the grammar.
Positive Connotation
'Cheiroso' carries a strong positive feeling. It's a word that evokes pleasure and appreciation for pleasant sensory experiences, common in Portuguese-speaking cultures.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'sh'epherd ('chei') who is very 'rosy' ('roso') because he works with beautiful, fragrant flowers all day. He is always 'cheiroso'!
Visual Association
Picture a beautiful, fragrant rose (rosa) with a smiley face (cheiro) on it. The rose is 'cheiroso'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try describing five things around your house using 'cheiroso' or 'cheirosa'. For example, your shampoo, your favorite candle, or even your pet's clean fur.
Word Origin
The word 'cheiroso' comes from the Portuguese word 'cheiro,' meaning 'smell' or 'scent.' The suffix '-oso' (or '-osa' for feminine) is added to form adjectives that mean 'full of' or 'characterized by.' Therefore, 'cheiroso' literally means 'full of good smell.'
Original meaning: Characterized by a pleasant scent.
Portuguese, derived from Latin.Cultural Context
The word 'cheiroso' is generally positive and not sensitive. However, it's important to avoid using it for things that have unpleasant odors, as this would be incorrect and confusing.
In English-speaking cultures, we use words like 'fragrant,' 'aromatic,' 'scented,' or 'smells nice.' While 'smelly' can sometimes be used positively (e.g., 'smells delicious'), 'cheiroso' is consistently positive.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Describing food
- Que cheiro cheiroso!
- Este bolo está cheiroso.
- O aroma é cheiroso.
Describing personal care products
- O sabonete é cheiroso.
- Perfume cheiroso.
- A pele fica cheirosa.
Describing environments
- A casa está cheirosa.
- Que lugar cheiroso!
- O ar está cheiroso.
Describing nature
- As flores são cheirosas.
- O jardim está cheiroso.
- Um cheiro cheiroso de relva cortada.
Giving compliments
- Você está cheiroso/cheirosa!
- Que cheiro cheiroso você usa!
- Seu cabelo está cheiroso.
Conversation Starters
"What's the most pleasant smell you've encountered recently?"
"Can you describe a food that always smells wonderfully cheiroso to you?"
"If you could bottle a scent, what would it be and why would it be cheiroso?"
"What kind of cheiroso scents do you prefer in your home?"
"How do you describe the smell of a beautiful garden in Portuguese?"
Journal Prompts
Describe a memory strongly associated with a particular cheiroso scent. What made it so memorable?
Imagine you are creating a new perfume. What elements would you include to make it cheiroso and unique?
Write about a place that you find particularly cheiroso. What makes its scent so appealing?
Reflect on the difference between 'cheiroso' and other smell-related words. When would you choose one over the other?
Describe a meal where the aroma was as important as the taste. Use the word 'cheiroso' to capture the olfactory experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions'Cheiro' is the noun for 'smell' or 'scent.' 'Cheiroso' is the adjective that describes something having a pleasant smell. For example, 'O perfume tem um cheiro bom' (The perfume has a good smell), and 'O perfume é cheiroso' (The perfume is fragrant).
You use 'cheiroso' when describing a masculine noun, and 'cheirosa' when describing a feminine noun. For example, 'O pão está cheiroso' (The bread is fragrant - 'pão' is masculine), and 'A flor está cheirosa' (The flower is fragrant - 'flor' is feminine).
Yes, 'cheiroso' or 'cheirosa' can be used to compliment someone if they smell nice, usually due to perfume, cologne, or pleasant-smelling hygiene products. For example, 'Você está muito cheiroso hoje!' (You smell very nice today!).
The most common opposites are 'fedorento' (stinky) and 'malcheiroso' (bad-smelling). It's crucial not to use 'cheiroso' for unpleasant odors.
Absolutely! 'Cheiroso' is frequently used to describe the pleasant aroma of food, especially when it's cooking or freshly prepared. For example, 'Que cheiro cheiroso de bolo assando!' (What a fragrant smell of cake baking!).
Yes. The plural forms are 'cheirosos' for masculine nouns and 'cheirosas' for feminine nouns. For example, 'Os sabonetes são cheirosos' (The soaps are fragrant) and 'As velas são cheirosas' (The candles are fragrant).
This phrase means 'fragrant as a rose.' It's a common comparison used to emphasize how pleasant and floral a scent is. For example, 'O sabonete dela é cheiroso como uma rosa.'
'Cheiroso' is a versatile word used in both informal and neutral contexts. It's a common, everyday adjective. While it can be used in slightly more formal writing, it's not typically considered a highly formal or academic term.
Other related words include 'aromático' (aromatic, often for spices/herbs), 'perfumado' (perfumed), and 'fragrante' (fragrant, similar to cheiroso). You also have noun phrases like 'bom cheiro' (good smell) or 'belo aroma' (beautiful aroma).
Generally, 'cheiroso' is used for physical things that emit a scent. While you might metaphorically describe an 'atmosphere' as 'cheiroso' (e.g., 'o ar está cheiroso'), it's primarily tied to olfactory perception.
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Summary
<strong>Cheiroso</strong> is a common Portuguese adjective meaning 'fragrant' or 'having a pleasant smell.' Remember to match its ending to the gender and number of the noun it describes, such as 'flor cheirosa' (fragrant flower) or 'perfumes cheirosos' (fragrant perfumes).
- Fragrant or having a pleasant smell.
- Used for things like flowers, food, and perfumes.
- Agrees in gender and number with the noun (cheiroso/cheirosa/cheirosos/cheirosas).
- Opposite of 'fedorento' (stinky).
Gender and Number Agreement
Remember that 'cheiroso' must agree with the noun it describes. Use 'cheiroso' for masculine singular nouns, 'cheirosa' for feminine singular, 'cheirosos' for masculine plural, and 'cheirosas' for feminine plural. For example, 'O perfume é cheiroso' but 'A flor é cheirosa'.
Distinguish from Antonyms
Always remember that 'cheiroso' specifically means a *pleasant* smell. Never use it for bad smells. Use 'fedorento' or 'malcheiroso' for unpleasant odors.
Common Collocations
Pay attention to common phrases like 'muito cheiroso' (very fragrant), 'cheiroso como uma rosa' (fragrant as a rose), and 'deixar tudo cheiroso' (to make everything smell nice). These will help you use the word more naturally.
Everyday Situations
You'll hear 'cheiroso' often when people talk about food, flowers, perfumes, candles, and clean environments. Try to use it when describing these things yourself.
Example
As flores do jardim são muito cheirosas.
Related Content
Related Grammar Rules
More general words
a cerca de
B1About; approximately.
à direita
A2To the right side.
à esquerda
A2To the left side.
a fim de
A2in order to
à frente
A2In front of.
a frente
A2At or toward the front.
À frente de
A2In front of
a tempo
A2on time, punctually
à volta de
A2Around.
abaixo
A1At a lower level or layer than; below.
