je stinkt
The English phrase "you stink" can be translated into Dutch as je stinkt.
This phrase is used to tell someone that their body or breath has an unpleasant smell. If you want to specify the source of the smell, you can use the form je stinkt naar…, where you follow the preposition naar with the thing causing the odor, such as je stinkt naar zweet (you stink of sweat).
Which one should you use?
The form je stinkt is the informal version used with friends, family or children, whereas u stinkt is the formal version.
How does it change in a sentence?
The form u stinkt is used when addressing someone formally to show respect.
Did you know?
- The verb stinken is often used in the idiom stinken als een pad (to stink like a toad), which is a much more colorful and common way to emphasize a terrible smell than simply saying je stinkt.
- In Dutch, the word stinkt can also be used metaphorically to describe a situation or a plan that is 'stinking' or highly suspicious. If a deal smells fishy, a Dutch speaker might say it stinkt.
- Using the formal u stinkt to tell someone they smell bad is an incredibly awkward social contradiction, as the formal address is meant to show respect while the message is an insult.
Examples in context
- Je stinkt.You stink.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase je stinkt.Tatoeba #7526264 by MarijnKp, translation #4834656 by shekitten
- Sorry, maar je stinktSorry, but you stink
- Je stinkt echt heel erg.You really stink a lot.
- Pas op, je stinkt naar zweet.Watch out, you stink of sweat.
Example conversation
Emma and Lucas are in the gym after a workout.
- EmmaLucas, je stinkt enorm!Lucas, you stink enormously!
- LucasIk weet het, het was een zware training.I know, it was a hard training.
- EmmaGa alsjeblieft snel douchen.Please go shower quickly.
- LucasDat ga ik doen.I will do that.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
