tu pues
The English phrase "you smell" is translated into French as tu pues.
This phrase is used to tell someone that their body has an unpleasant odor. The core verb is puer, which means "to stink". It is important to note that puer is much stronger and more insulting than the English "to smell". It is closer in intensity to the English "to stink". If you want to specify what someone smells like, you can use the construction puer + la/le + [noun], such as tu pues la sueur (you smell of sweat).
Which one should you use?
The form tu pues is used when addressing friends, family or children. For strangers or when addressing a group, different forms are required.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, the phrase Tu pues des aisselles! is used to mean "You stink under your armpits!"
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb changes to vous puez when you are addressing more than one person or when you are using the formal vous form.
Did you know?
- In a very colloquial or slang context, ça pue is often used to mean 'this is a bad situation' or 'this smells fishy', regardless of whether there is an actual odor.
- The word tu in tu pues is a direct relative of the German du and the Russian ты.
- While an English speaker might say 'you smell' to mean 'you have a scent', saying tu pues in French is strictly an accusation of bad odor and cannot be used as a compliment.
Examples in context
- Tu pues la sueur. Va prendre une douche.You smell sweaty. Go and have a shower.This sentence is useful for identifying what someone smells of using the form tu pues.Tatoeba #10612596 by lbdx, translation #10605048 by sundown
- Tu pues vraiment.You really smell.
- Rapproche-toi pas, tu pues.Don't come closer, you smell.
Example conversation
Léa notices Gabriel after he finished exercising.
- LéaGabriel, tu pues !Gabriel, you smell!
- GabrielC'est vrai ? Je viens de courir.Really? I just went for a run.
- LéaOui, tu pues vraiment fort.Yes, you really smell strong.
- GabrielJe vais prendre une douche.I'm going to take a shower.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
