hueles a patas
/weles a patas/from spelling rules
The English phrase "you smell like feet" is translated into Spanish as hueles a patas.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have a strong, unpleasant odor similar to smelly feet.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the verb oler (to smell) in the second-person singular, the preposition a (to/of) and patas (paws or legs of animals).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase hueles a patas is informal and more insulting than Hueles a pies, because patas refers to animal limbs.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb oler is conjugated in the second-person singular present indicative to address tú (you).
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking regions, patas is also used in slang to refer to close friends, creating a sharp contrast between the insult hueles a patas and the term for a buddy.
- The word patas is shared with Portuguese, where it also refers to the limbs of animals rather than the feet of humans.
- The preposition a in this phrase descends from the Latin 'ad', which originally meant 'toward' or 'to', expressing a direction of sense.
Examples in context
- ¡Quítate los zapatos, hueles a patas!Take off your shoes, you smell like feet!
- No te acerques tanto, hueles a patas.Don't get so close, you smell like feet.
- Después de correr, hueles a patas.After running, you smell like feet.
Example conversation
Daniel and María are at the gym after a workout.
- Daniel¿Por qué te alejas de mí, María?Why are you moving away from me, María?
- MaríaEs que hueles a patas, Daniel.It's just that you smell like feet, Daniel.
- Daniel¡Qué pesada eres!You are so annoying!
- MaríaSolo te digo la verdad.I'm just telling you the truth.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries a, CC BY-SA 4.0.
