你身上有味道
nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidao
The phrase "you smell" is translated into Chinese as 你身上有味道 (nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidao).
This phrase is used to inform someone that their body has a noticeable or unpleasant odor. It is often used euphemistically to imply a bad smell without using the word 'stink' directly.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "you (on) body have smell/flavor".
Which one should you use?
While 你身上有味道 is a polite or indirect way to say someone smells, 你身上很臭 is much more blunt and aggressive, explicitly stating the smell is foul.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Northern China, particularly Beijing, the phrase is often pronounced with an 'er' suffix as 你身上有味儿.
How do you pronounce it?
nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidao
Did you know?
- If someone describes a person as 有味道 in an artistic context, it means they have 'character' or 'soul', having nothing to do with physical scent.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, a specific 味道 on the body was historically interpreted as a sign of internal organ imbalance rather than just poor hygiene.
- In some social contexts, saying 你有味道 can be a flirtatious way to suggest someone smells attractive. However, adding 身上 usually shifts the focus to hygiene.
Examples in context
- 对不起，我想提醒您一下，您有些体味。Excuse me, I wanted to remind you that you have some body odor.
- 嘿，你有点儿体味，注意一下吧。Hey, you have a bit of body odor, be more careful.
- 感觉你身上有味道。Gǎnjué nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidào.I feel like you smell.
- 是不是你身上有味道？Shì bú shì nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidào?Do you smell bad?
Example conversation
In a small, crowded elevator.
- 志强 Zhiqiang你身上有味道。Nǐ shēnshang yǒu wèidào.You smell.
- 雨婷 Yuting真的吗？对不起。Zhēn de ma? Duìbuqǐ.Really? I'm sorry.
- 志强 Zhiqiang可能因为出汗了。Kěnéng yīnwèi chūhàn le.It might be because of sweat.
- 雨婷 Yuting谢谢你的提醒。Xièxiè nǐ de tíxǐng.Thanks for letting me know.
