du riechst schlecht
The English phrase "you smell bad" is translated into German as du riechst schlecht.
This phrase is used to state that someone's body or breath has an unpleasant odor.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb riechen means "to smell," and it is used both for the act of perceiving a scent and for the state of emitting an odor.
Which one should you use?
While du riechst schlecht is a descriptive way to tell someone they have an unpleasant odor, the phrase Du stinkst is much more aggressive and blunt.
How does it change in a sentence?
To address a group of people informally, use ihr riecht schlecht. In formal contexts, the pronoun Sie and the verb form riechen are used, as in Sie riechen schlecht.
Did you know?
- German uses the word Muff to describe a specific kind of smell, like a damp basement or an old attic, which cannot be translated as simply 'bad'.
- The word schlecht is a linguistic sibling to the English word 'slight', sharing a common ancestor that relates to the idea of being thin or small.
- While du riechst schlecht describes the smell, Germans might use the phrase du riechst nach followed by a specific object to be more descriptive.
Examples in context
- Du riechst schlecht.You smell bad.This is useful for practicing the phrase du riechst schlecht.Tatoeba #8227542 by MisterTrouser, translation #5006758 by Lindoula
- Es tut mir leid, aber Ihr Geruch ist störend. Vielleicht könnten Sie daran denken, ein Deodorant zu verwenden? Es könnte das Problem beheben.I'm sorry, but your smell is bothersome. Maybe you could consider using a deodorant? It might solve the issue.
Example conversation
Sarah tells Felix he needs to brush his teeth.
- SarahFelix, du riechst schlecht.Felix, you smell bad.
- FelixWas meinst du genau?What exactly do you mean?
- SarahDein Atem ist sehr unangenehm.Your breath is very unpleasant.
- FelixOh, ich putze mir gleich die Zähne.Oh, I'll brush my teeth right away.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, schlecht, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
