Lael logo

perfume means scent — a common term in Beautiful Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: November 13, 2025

✨ Beautiful Spanish

perfume

noun • /[per-FOO-me]/

scent

Example:

El perfume llenó el aire.

The scent filled the air.

🧠 What does perfume mean?

In Spanish, 'perfume' is a masculine noun that most broadly means 'scent' or 'fragrance.' While it shares a root with the English word 'perfume' and can refer to the cosmetic liquid applied to the skin, its common usage is much wider. It describes any pleasant and often delicate smell, such as the fragrance of flowers, the scent of fresh coffee, or the aroma of rain on dry earth. Using 'perfume' in this way gives a slightly poetic or refined quality to the description.

📚 Extra examples

  • El perfume de las lilas llegaba hasta mi ventana.
    The scent of the lilacs reached my window.
  • Me encanta el perfume de la tierra mojada después de llover.
    I love the scent of wet earth after it rains.
  • La panadería del pueblo tiene un perfume a pan recién horneado.
    The town's bakery has a scent of freshly baked bread.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'perfume' originates from the Latin phrase 'per fumum', which means 'through smoke'. This refers to the ancient practice of burning incense and aromatic herbs to create fragrant smoke for religious ceremonies and to scent the air.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "perfume"

Synonyms: aroma, fragancia, esencia
Opposites: hedor, peste, mal olor

🔍 See more beautiful spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'scent' in Spanish?
Common translations for a pleasant scent are 'perfume', 'aroma', and 'fragancia'. The word 'olor' means 'smell' in a neutral sense and can be either good or bad.
How do you pronounce 'perfume' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is per-FOO-meh. The stress falls on the second syllable, '-fu-'. The final 'e' is pronounced like the 'e' in 'met'.
How do you use 'perfume' in a sentence?
An example is: 'El perfume de los jazmines es más intenso por la noche.' This means 'The scent of the jasmine flowers is more intense at night.'
What is the English translation of 'perfume'?
The most accurate general translations are 'scent' and 'fragrance'. It can also mean 'perfume' when referring to the cosmetic product.
Does 'perfume' change for gender or number?
Yes, for number. It is a masculine noun, so its singular form is 'el perfume.' The plural form is 'los perfumes.'
Is 'perfume' common in everyday Spanish?
Yes, it is a very common and standard word used to describe pleasant smells in both everyday conversation and more descriptive writing.
Does 'perfume' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'perfume' does not have any widespread slang meanings. Its use is quite literal and straightforward, referring to a scent or a cosmetic product.
Is 'perfume' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The general meaning of 'perfume' as 'scent' is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. For the cosmetic product, some regions might more commonly use 'colonia' or 'fragancia', but 'perfume' is universally understood.

📱 Download the App

Get reminders · Save favorites · Share words

Lael App Logo

Lael: Spanish Word of the Day

Download on the App Store