香味

• Pinyin: xiāng wèi
• Hanzi breakdown: 香 = 禾 + 日 (grain in sun — fragrant); 味 = 口 + 未 (mouth sensing flavour)

Meaning

Fragrance; aroma; scent. A pleasant smell emanating from food, flowers, or other sources.

Specifically implies a pleasing smell — distinct from the neutral 气味 (odour/smell) or negative 臭味 (stench). Used for cooking aromas, floral scents, and the subtle fragrance of teas or incense. A key sensory word in Chinese food and lifestyle vocabulary.

Examples

1. 厨房里飘来阵阵饭菜的香味，让饥肠辘辘的家人迫不及待地想要开饭。 The smell of food drifted from the kitchen, and the hungry family couldn’t wait for the meal to start.
2. 这片花园每到春天便充满了各种花朵的香味，吸引大批游客前来参观游览。 Every spring, this garden fills with the fragrance of all kinds of flowers, drawing large numbers of visitors.
3. 他喜欢在深夜泡一壶好茶，静静感受那淡淡的茶叶香味弥漫整个房间。 He likes to brew a pot of good tea late at night and quietly enjoy the faint tea aroma filling the room.

Usage Guide

Context: food, nature, lifestyle

Tone: positive

Do Say

• 这道菜的香味真诱人，让人食欲大开，恨不得马上动筷子。(The aroma of this dish is truly enticing, whetting the appetite — one can't wait to start eating.)
• 花园里玫瑰的香味随风飘散，令人心旷神怡，流连忘返。(The fragrance of roses in the garden drifts on the breeze, refreshing the spirit and making one reluctant to leave.)

Don't Say

• 这个垃圾的香味很难闻 — 香味 implies pleasantness; for unpleasant smells use 臭味 or 异味 instead

Origin & History

香 (fragrant/sweet-smelling) + 味 (smell/taste/flavour)

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal