1.
spice; flavoring; seasoning
Substances added to food or drink for flavor or aroma. Includes both natural spices and artificial flavorings.
カレーには様々な香料が使われている。
Various spices are used in curry.
この食品には人工香料は使っていません。
No artificial flavorings are used in this food product.
中世ヨーロッパでは東洋の香料が大変な高値で取引されていた。
In medieval Europe, Eastern spices were traded at very high prices.
2.
fragrance; perfume ingredient
Aromatic substances used in perfumes, cosmetics, incense, and other fragrance products.
天然香料を使った石鹸だ。
It's soap made with natural fragrances.
この香水は貴重な香料をブレンドしている。
This perfume blends precious fragrance ingredients.
合成香料と天然香料の違いを消費者に説明する必要がある。
It's necessary to explain the difference between synthetic and natural fragrances to consumers.
Covers both culinary spices/flavorings and aromatic substances. Context usually makes clear which sense is meant.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 天然香料 (natural flavoring/fragrance)
- 人工香料 / 合成香料 (artificial/synthetic flavoring or fragrance)
- 香料貿易 (spice trade)
SIMILAR WORDS:
- スパイス is the common loanword for culinary spices
- 調味料 means seasoning/condiment (broader, includes soy sauce, miso, etc.)
- 香料 is a more formal/technical term that also covers non-food fragrances