01
das Parfüm
perfume
A fragrant liquid that you apply to the skin or clothing in order to smell good.
example
Sie trägt immer ein sehr teures Parfüm.
She always wears a very expensive perfume.
das Parfüm
perfume
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Context: liquid vs. scent
You can tell from the context whether the liquid (meaning 1) or the general scent (meaning 2) is meant. Verbs like 'kaufen' (to buy) or 'auftragen' (to apply) point to the liquid, while combinations with plants or places refer to the general scent.
EXAMPLE
Ich muss mir ein neues Parfüm kaufen.
I need to buy myself a new perfume.
Typical verbs
When referring to the fragrant liquid, certain verbs are used. You can 'auftragen' (apply), 'auflegen' (put on), 'aufsprühen' (spray on), or simply 'tragen' (wear) Parfüm (perfume).
EXAMPLE
Vor dem Ausgehen trägt sie immer ihr Lieblingsparfüm auf.
Before going out, she always applies her favorite perfume.
Typical adjectives
To describe the scent of a perfume, adjectives like 'leicht' (light), 'schwer' (heavy), 'süß' (sweet), 'frisch' (fresh), or 'blumig' (floral) are often used.
EXAMPLE
Für den Sommer bevorzuge ich ein leichtes, frisches Parfüm.
For summer, I prefer a light, fresh perfume.
Correct preposition
When saying where you apply perfume, you use the preposition 'auf' with the accusative. When describing what something smells of, you use 'nach'.
EXAMPLE
Sie sprüht sich das Parfüm auf die Handgelenke.
She sprays the perfume onto her wrists.
Compare with
Parfüm vs Geruch
smell
'der Geruch' and 'das Parfüm' are both connected to smelling. 'Geruch' is the general word for something you perceive with your nose. 'Parfüm' is usually a fragrant liquid that you apply. But it can also mean the particular scent of a person, flower, or place. Learners may confuse the words because perfume has a smell. More precisely: 'das Parfüm' is the thing or the particular scent, while 'der Geruch' is the general perception.
Parfüm
Elif trägt im Büro nur wenig Parfüm, damit es niemanden stört.
Elif wears only a little perfume at the office so that it does not bother anyone.
Geruch
Mein Vater mag den Geruch von Benzin an der Tankstelle nicht.
My father does not like the smell of gasoline at the gas station.
In real life
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