악취
akchwi
The Korean word for 'stink' is 악취 (akchwi).
악취 refers to a foul or disgusting stench.
Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 악취 specifically implies a foul or disgusting stench, the phrase 냄새가 나다 is a more neutral and common way to say 'there is a smell'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
악취 is a formal or technical noun often used in news reports, official warnings or literature. For a polite and friendly way to say 'it smells bad' in informal situations, you can use 냄새나요. Another formal expression for an unpleasant smell is 불쾌한 냄새.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the noun 악취 as a verb meaning 'to stink' or 'to emit a bad smell', it is typically paired with the verb 나다 (to emerge/occur) to form the phrase 악취가 나다.
How do you pronounce it?
akchwi
Did you know?
- To describe a pungent but 'good' stink, like that of fermented soybean paste, Koreans use 구수한 냄새. This is a positive 'stink' that English lacks a single word for.
- To express that something 'stinks' in a very blunt or slangy way, people often use the word 구리다 (gurida), which originally meant 'to be rusty' or 'to be murky'.
- While 악취 is technical, Koreans often use the word 꼬랑내 to describe a very specific kind of stink, such as the smell of sweaty feet or old socks.
Examples in context
- 이 음식은 냄새나!This food smells bad!
- 이 음식은 썩어서 냄새가 나!This food has gone bad, so it stinks!
- 이 방은 좀 냄새나요This room smells a bit.
- 어제 산 고기가 상해서 냄새가 너무 심해요.The meat I bought yesterday went bad, so it stinks excessively.
- 이 부엌에서 냄새가 나요. 창문을 열어주세요.There's a bad smell coming from this kitchen. Please open the window.
- 하수구에서 악취가 나요.hasugueseo akchwiga nayo.There is a stink coming from the drain.
- 비가 오면 악취가 더 심해져요.biga omyeon akchwiga deo simhaejyeoyo.The stink gets worse when it rains.
Example conversation
Minji and Jihun are walking past a closed garbage collection site.
- 민지 Min-ji지훈 씨, 저기서 악취가 나지 않아요?Jihun ssi, jeogiseo akchwiga na-ji an-ayo?Jihun, don't you smell a stink from over there?
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말이네요. 냄새가 너무 심해요.Jeongmarineyo. Naemsaega neomu simhaeyo.You're right. The smell is too strong.
- 민지 Min-ji코를 막고 빨리 지나가요.Koreul makgo ppalli jinagayo.Let's cover our noses and pass by quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun네, 민지 씨. 얼른 피합시다.Ne, Minji ssi. Eolleun pihapsida.Yes, Minji. Let's avoid it quickly.
