냄새 나
naemsae na
The phrase "you smell bad" in Korean is 냄새 나 (naemsae na).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have an unpleasant odor. It can also be used to say "it smells" or "there is a smell."
Which one should you use?
Unlike English, which distinguishes between "you smell" and "it smells", the Korean phrase 냄새 나 can mean both depending on the context.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase can be translated as "you smell" or "there is a smell."
How do you pronounce it?
naemsae na
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often try to include the word for "you" (너) at the start of the sentence, but in Korean, it is more natural to omit the subject entirely when the context is clear.
Did you know?
- In Korean, describing someone as having a 'human smell' 사람 냄새 is often a compliment, suggesting they are warm, approachable and authentic.
- The word for 'smell' 냄새 is used in the term 돈 냄새, which literally means 'the smell of money' and refers to the ability to sense a profitable business opportunity.
- While 냄새 나 means 'it smells', the word 냄새 can also be used to describe a 'vibe' or a 'feeling' that something is suspicious, similar to the English expression 'I smell a rat'.
Examples in context
- 발에서 냄새 나.bal-eseo naemsae na.Your feet smell.
- 옷에서 이상한 냄새 나.ot-eseo isanghan naemsae na.There is a strange smell coming from your clothes.
Example conversation
Subin and Jihun are in a small elevator.
- 수빈 Su-bin지훈 씨, 몸에서 냄새 나요.Jihun ssi, mom-eseo naemsae nayo.Jihun, you smell bad.
- 지훈 Ji-hun정말요? 운동을 해서 그런가 봐요.Jeongmalyo? Undong-eul haeseo geureon-ga bwayo.Really? It must be because I exercised.
- 수빈 Su-bin냄새 나니까 빨리 씻으세요.Naemsae nanikka ppalli ssiseuseyo.It smells, so please go wash quickly.
- 지훈 Ji-hun미안해요, 바로 씻을게요.Mianhaeyo, baro ssiseulgeyo.I'm sorry, I'll wash up right away.
