بو میدی
bu midi
The English phrase "you smell" is translated into Persian as بو میدی (bu midi).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have an unpleasant odor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase بو میدی is composed of the noun بو (smell) and the verb میدی (you give), literally meaning "you give smell".
Which one should you use?
The form بو میدی is used for informal singular subjects. To express this more formally, you can use بو میدهید or the phrase بوی بدی دارید, which specifically means "You have a bad smell."
How does it change in a sentence?
The form بو میدی is the informal singular second-person conjugation.
How do you pronounce it?
bu midi
Did you know?
- To avoid the rudeness of بو میدی, Persians often use Taarof and might instead ask if the person wants to refresh themselves or use a scent.
- Using the formal بو میدهید to tell someone they smell can actually sound more sarcastic or biting than the informal version.
- The noun بو is related to the Proto-Indo-European root *bʰewdʰ-, which means 'to be awake' or 'to perceive'.
Examples in context
- چرا اینقدر بد بو میدی؟cherā inghad bad bu midi?Why do you smell so bad?
- ببخشید، ولی تو بو میدی.bebakhshid, vali to bu midi.Excuse me, but you smell.
Example conversation
Reza and Nilofar are in a shared room.
- رضا Rezaنیلوفر، تو بو میدی.Nilofar, to bu midi.Nilofar, you smell.
- نیلوفر Niloufarواقعاً؟ واقعاً بد بو میدم؟vāghe'an? vāghe'an bad bu midam?Really? Do I really smell bad?
- رضا Rezaآره، خیلی بد بو میدی.Āre, kheyli bad bu midi.Yes, you smell very bad.
- نیلوفر Niloufarباشه، الان میرم دستشویی.Bāshe, alān miram dastshuyi.Fine, I'll go to the bathroom now.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries بو, CC BY-SA 4.0.
