What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
joss
Example
The joss sticks filled the room with a sweet and spicy aroma. [joss: noun]
Example
She lit a joss stick and closed her eyes, focusing on her breath. [joss stick: noun]
incense
Example
The priest burned incense during the religious ceremony. [incense: noun]
Example
The room was filled with the sweet smell of burning incense. [burning: gerund or present participle]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Incense is more commonly used and recognized than joss in Western countries. However, joss is still widely used in Chinese and Southeast Asian cultures for religious and spiritual purposes.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between joss and incense?
Both joss and incense are versatile and can be used in various formality levels, allowing them to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
