Vaporiser vs. pulvériser vs. asperger
While generic English translation usually groups vaporiser, pulvériser, and asperger under the verb "to spray", French distinguishes them by the texture of the liquid (mist vs. drops), the force applied, and the intended outcome.
Vaporiser
B1This verb refers to turning a liquid into a fine mist, vapor, or aerosol. It implies a gentle, airy application where the particles are very small and light. It is commonly used for personal care products and delicate household items.
Elle aime se vaporiser du parfum avant de sortir pour la soirée.
(She likes to spray perfume on herself before going out for the evening.)
Le coiffeur va vaporiser un peu d'eau sur vos cheveux pour les humidifier.
(The hairdresser will spray a little water on your hair to moisten it.)
Il est conseillé de vaporiser le désodorisant vers le haut de la pièce.
(It is advised to spray the air freshener towards the top of the room.)
J'utilise une bouteille spéciale pour vaporiser de l'huile d'olive sur ma salade.
(I use a special bottle to mist olive oil onto my salad.)
Pulvériser
B2This verb implies spraying with force or pressure to cover a surface. While it also creates small particles, the focus is on the mechanism (a pump or pressurized can) and the covering of an object. It is often more industrial, chemical, or mechanical than vaporiser. note that figuratively, it means to destroy or to pulverize.
Le jardinier doit pulvériser un traitement sur les rosiers malades.
(The gardener must spray a treatment on the sick rosebushes.)
Il faut pulvériser le produit nettoyant sur la vitre et laisser agir.
(You must spray the cleaning product on the window and let it sit.)
Les vandales ont pulvérisé de la peinture rouge sur la statue.
(The vandals sprayed red paint on the statue.)
L'agriculteur va pulvériser de l'engrais sur son champ demain matin.
(The farmer acts to spray fertilizer on his field tomorrow morning.)
Asperger
B2This verb means to splash, sprinkle, or douse someone or something with liquid. Unlike the fine mist of vaporiser, asperger involves larger drops or a stream of liquid. It is arguably the wettest and messiest of the three.
Une voiture a roulé dans une flaque et m'a aspergé d'eau boueuse.
(A car drove into a puddle and sprayed me with muddy water.)
Les enfants adorent s'asperger avec le tuyau d'arrosage en été.
(The children love spraying each other with the garden hose in the summer.)
Le prêtre va asperger les fidèles avec de l'eau bénite.
(The priest acts to sprinkle the congregation with holy water.)
Pour que la viande ne sèche pas, il faut l'asperger de jus de cuisson.
(So that the meat does not dry out, you must baste it with cooking juices.)
Summary
Use vaporiser for a fine, gentle mist (perfume, hairspray). Use pulvériser for a pressurized, coating spray (cleaning products, pesticides, paint). Use asperger for splashing or dousing with drops (water fights, cooking, accidental splashing).