Are you ready to expand your Portuguese vocabulary and learn how to express the concept of “stink”? Whether you are looking for a formal or informal way to convey this idea, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we will explore different expressions, regional variations, and provide various tips and examples to help you master this word. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Stink” in Portuguese
If you prefer a more formal way to express the concept of “stink” in Portuguese, the following expressions will come in handy:
- Cheirar mal – This is the most common and straightforward way of saying “stink” formally in Portuguese. It translates directly to “smell bad” in English. For example, “Está a cheirar mal aqui” means “It stinks in here.”
- Ter mau cheiro – This expression is slightly more formal and literally means “have a bad smell.” It can also be used to convey that something or someone has an unpleasant odor. For instance, you could say “Os peixes têm mau cheiro” which means “The fish stink.”
Informal Ways to Say “Stink” in Portuguese
If you prefer a more informal or slang expression to convey the idea of “stink” in Portuguese, these alternatives are for you:
- Fedar – This verb is widely used in informal conversations and is synonymous with “stink.” For example, you could say “Essa lixeira está a feder” which means “That garbage can stinks.”
- Cheirar mal pra caramba – This informal expression is perfect for emphasizing a strong and unpleasant smell. It adds emphasis by including “pra caramba,” which is a popular expression for “a lot.” So, you can say “Esse queijo cheira mal pra caramba” to say “This cheese stinks a lot.”
Regional Variations
While the expressions mentioned above are widely understood throughout the Portuguese-speaking world, it is important to note that there may be some regional variations. Here are a couple of regional differences in how to say “stink” in Portuguese:
In Brazil, in addition to “fedrar” or “cheirar mal,” you might also come across the word “federoso” or variations like “fedor” and “fedorento” to describe something with a strong and unpleasant odor. For example, you could say “Essa fruta está federosa” to mean “This fruit stinks.”
Tips and Examples
To help you fully grasp the word and its usage, here are some additional tips and examples:
- When describing a person or animal’s bad odor, you can also use the word “malcheiroso.” For instance, “Ele está malcheiroso” translates to “He stinks.”
- To intensify the concept of “stink,” you can use adverbs like “muito” (very) or “terrivelmente” (terribly). For example, “Este peixe cheira muito mal” means “This fish smells very bad.”
- Remember that context is crucial. Depending on the situation, there might be various ways to express “stink” in Portuguese. Pay attention to the formality level and choose accordingly.
Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of how to say “stink” in Portuguese, go ahead and confidently use these expressions in your conversations. Language learning is all about embracing new words and enriching your vocabulary. Have fun while exploring the diverse ways to express yourself!
