بدبو
badboo
The Persian word for "smelly" is بدبو (badboo).
بدبو is an adjective used to describe something that has an unpleasant or bad odor.
Meaning: having a bad smell (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
This word is a compound of بد, meaning "bad" and بو, meaning "smell".
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, بدبو is invariable, meaning it does not change its form regardless of the gender or number of the noun it modifies.
How do you pronounce it?
badboo
When do people say it?
In Persian culture, it is considered impolite to directly criticize someone's body odor or personal scent.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, describing a place as بدبو can be a metaphor for a 'corrupt' or 'badly smelling' political or social situation.
- There is a common Persian idiom بو دادن which means 'to give a smell'. It is used when someone is acting suspiciously, similar to the English phrase 'something smells fishy'.
- While بدبو is the standard word for 'smelly', Persians often use the word گند to describe a smell so foul it is physically repulsive. This term is significantly more intense and is used for things like rotting garbage or sewage.
Examples in context
- این جوراب‌ها خیلی بدبو هستند.in jurab-ha kheyli badbu hastand.These socks are very smelly.
- آشپزخانه به خاطر غذای بدبو بوی می‌داد.ashpazkhane be khater e ghazaye badbu buy midad.The kitchen smelled because of the smelly food.
- آن سطل زباله خیلی بدبو است.an satal-e zobale kheyli badbu ast.That trash can is very smelly.
Example conversation
Zahra and Amir are cleaning the house together.
- زهرا Zahraامیر، این کیسه زباله خیلی بدبو است.Amir, in kise-ye zobāle kheyli badbo ast.Amir, this trash bag is very smelly.
- امیر Amirراست می‌گویی، زود بیرون ببرش.Rāst miguyi, zud birun bebarash.You're right, take it outside quickly.
- زهرا Zahraمن نمی‌توانم آن را لمس کنم.Man nemitavānam ān rā lams konam.I cannot touch it.
- امیر Amirباشه زهرا، من خودم می‌برمش.Bāshe Zahra, man khodam mibaramash.Okay Zahra, I will take it myself.
