ਬਦਬੂ
badboo
The English word 'smell' can be expressed in Punjabi as ਬਦਬੂ (badboo).
In Punjabi, the term ਬਦਬੂ is used almost exclusively to describe an unpleasant odor, such as a stink or a bad smell, rather than the neutral sensation of smelling.
Meaning: sensation (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word ਬਦਬੂ is a compound of 'bad' (bad) and 'smell' (boo), literally meaning 'bad smell'.
Which one should you use?
While ਬਦਬੂ refers to a bad smell, ਖੁਸ਼ਬੂ is the word used for a pleasant smell or fragrance.
How do you pronounce it?
badboo
Did you know?
- While ਬਦਬੂ refers to the smell itself, the act of smelling something is described by a different verb, ਸੁੰਘਣਾ (sunghna), which does not share the same root.
- The prefix ਬਦ (bad) in ਬਦਬੂ is shared with many other Punjabi words for 'evil' or 'unfortunate', linking a bad smell to a general sense of negativity.
- The root 'boo' in ਬਦਬੂ is shared with many other Urdu and Punjabi words related to scent, such as ਖੁਸ਼ਬੂ (fragrance) and ਬੂ (odor).
Examples in context
- ਇਸ ਭੋਜਨ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਬਦਬੂ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।is bhojan vichon badbu aa rahi hai.There is a bad smell coming from this food.
- ਕੂੜੇ ਦੀ ਬਦਬੂ ਬਹੁਤ ਤੇਜ਼ ਹੈ।koore di badbu bahut tez hai.The smell of the garbage is very strong.
- ਮੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਥੋਂ ਬਦਬੂ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ।mainu ithon badbu aa rahi hai.I am smelling something bad from here.
Example conversation
Herman and Kiran are in a kitchen near an open trash bin.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਕਿਰਨ, ਕੀ ਤੈਨੂੰ ਇੱਥੇ ਬਦਬੂ ਆ ਰਹੀ ਹੈ?Kiran, ki tainu ithe badbu aa rahi hai?Kiran, do you smell something bad here?
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਹਾਂ, ਇਹ ਬਹੁਤ ਮਾੜੀ ਬਦਬੂ ਹੈ।han, eh bahut maari badbu hai.Yes, it is a very bad smell.
- ਹਰਮਨ Hermanਸ਼ਾਇਦ ਕੂੜੇ ਦਾ ਡੱਬਾ ਖੁੱਲ੍ਹਾ ਰਹਿ ਗਿਆ ਹੈ।shaayad koore da dabba khulla reh gaya hai.Maybe the garbage bin was left open.
- ਕਿਰਨ Kiranਚਲੋ, ਮੈਂ ਇਸ ਨੂੰ ਬੰਦ ਕਰ ਦਿੰਦੀ ਹਾਂ।chalo, main is nu band kar dindi han.Come, I will close it.
