hueles a frijoles
/weles a fɾixoles/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you smell like beans" is translated into Spanish as hueles a frijoles.
This phrase is used to state that a person's body or clothing carries the scent of beans.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb oler (to smell) in the second-person singular present tense, the preposition a (of/to) and frijoles (beans).
How does it change in a sentence?
In Spanish, the verb oler is followed by the preposition a when describing the scent that something or someone emits. To change the subject from "you" to "he", "she" or "it", change hueles to huele.
Did you know?
- Spanish uses the same structure oler a for things that do not actually have a scent, such as huele a peligro to say 'it smells like danger'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, especially in Mexico, frijoles are such a staple of the daily diet that smelling like them is often associated with home and comfort rather than being a negative critique.
- While 'frijoles' is common in Mexico, in other countries like Argentina or Uruguay, you might need to use the word porotos to be understood.
Examples in context
- Hueles a frijoles después de la cena.You smell like beans after dinner.
- ¿Por qué hueles a frijoles hoy?Why do you smell like beans today?
- No me acerques, hueles a frijoles.Don't come near me, you smell like beans.
Example conversation
Mateo and Lucía are sitting on the sofa in the living room.
- MateoLucía, hueles a frijoles.Lucía, you smell like beans.
- LucíaEs que ayudé a cocinar la cena.It's because I helped cook dinner.
- MateoSe nota mucho en tu ropa.It's very noticeable on your clothes.
- LucíaLo siento, Mateo.I'm sorry, Mateo.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
