воня́ть
vonjátʹimperfective
The English phrase 'stink' is translated into Russian as воня́ть (vonjátʹ). Wiktionary also lists смерде́ть (smerdétʹ) and ду́рно па́хнуть (dúrno páxnutʹ).
Meaning: have a strong bad smell (verb)
Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| воня́ть | vonjátʹ | imperfective |
| смерде́ть | smerdétʹ | imperfective |
| ду́рно па́хнуть | dúrno páxnutʹ | imperfective |
The verb refers to having a strong bad smell. The noun form for a strong bad smell is вонь.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase ду́рно па́хнуть is composed of the adverb ду́рно (badly/ill) and the verb па́хнуть (to smell).
Which one should you use?
воня́ть is the common way to say 'to stink'. In contrast, смерде́ть is a more literary or archaic term used to describe a foul odor. For a more polite approach, use the euphemism ду́рно па́хнуть instead of the bluntness of воня́ть.
Related words
How do you pronounce it?
vonjátʹ
Did you know?
- While воня́ть describes a bad smell, the related noun во́нь is often used in the phrase подня́ть во́нь, which means to make a huge public scene or a fuss.
- The verb па́хнуть can be used in the expression па́хнет жа́реным, which literally means 'it smells of something frying' but actually means 'trouble is brewing'.
- In Russian slang, describing a person as воню́чка (a 'stinker') is a common way to call someone a brat or a naughty child, regardless of their actual smell.
Examples in context
- Воняет как грязные носки! (Vonyaet kak gryaznyye noski!)It stinks like dirty socks!
- Работник вентиляции испускал неприятный запах (Rabotnik ventilatsii ispuskal nepriyatnyy zapakh)The ventilation worker emitted an unpleasant odor.
- Ты как старый сыр воняешь! (Ty kak staryy syr vonyayesh!)You stink like old cheese!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stink” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
