How to Say "You Smell" in Dutch

je stinkt

The English phrase "you smell" translates to Dutch as je stinkt.

If you want to specify the scent that someone smells of, use the preposition naar after the verb, such as in je stinkt naar…

How does it change in a sentence?

The verb stinken is an intransitive verb that inherently carries a negative connotation of a foul odor.

You might hear someone say de hele boel stinkt, which literally means 'the whole lot smells', but it actually refers to a situation being completely suspicious or fraudulent.
Dutch speakers might use the expression stinkend rijk to describe someone who is 'stinking rich'. This suggests the person has so much money it is almost offensive.
Because je stinkt is very blunt, Dutch people often use the diminutive stinkertje as a playful or affectionate nickname for a child or a pet who smells slightly.

Je stinkt naar kak.
You smell like shit.
This example shows how to specify what someone smells like using je stinkt.
Tatoeba #13018284 by Tom9358, translation #687974 by lukaszpp
Je stinkt.
You smell awful.
This example is useful for stating that someone smells awful using je stinkt.
Tatoeba #7526264 by MarijnKp, translation #4834651 by shekitten
U ruikt niet zo fris.
You don't smell very fresh.
U verspreidt een onaangename geur.
You are emitting an unpleasant odor.
Excuseert u mij, maar u ruikt niet erg aangenaam.
Excuse me, but you don't smell very pleasant.
Je ruikt niet fris.
You don't smell fresh.
Sorry hoor, maar je ruikt echt niet lekker.
Sorry, but you really don't smell nice.
Je stinkt echt heel erg.
You really smell very bad.
1 more sentence on Tatoeba

Sophie and Levi are at the gym.

Sources

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