puzzi
The English phrase "you stink" is translated into Italian as puzzi.
puzzi is used to tell someone that their body has an unpleasant smell. If you wish to specify the source of the smell, you can use the construction puzzi di… (you stink of…).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
puzzi is an informal and blunt way to address someone, typically used among peers or in a blunt, confrontational manner. Similarly, the expression Fai schifo! can be used informally to mean "you're disgusting" or "you stink!"
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to more than one person, you must use the second-person plural form puzzate instead of puzzi.
Did you know?
- In Italian, you can use puzzare metaphorically to describe a situation or a deal that feels 'fishy' or dishonest. If a business deal 'stinks', an Italian might say it puzza di bruciato, meaning it 'stinks of something burnt'.
- The term puzzare can be used in the context of 'puzzare di fame', a colloquial way to describe someone who looks extremely hungry or desperate, though this is highly idiomatic.
- In certain regional dialects, calling someone puzzone (a big stinker) is used as a teasing nickname for children, losing the blunt aggression of puzzi.
Examples in context
- Puzzi.You stink.Tatoeba #5921835 by Guybrush88, translation #4834656 by shekitten
- Puzzi di sudore.You stink of sweat.Tatoeba #11576106 by Nuel, translation #11576105 by Nuel
- Puzzi di sigaretta.You stink of cigarettes.Tatoeba #5571119 by dnnywld, translation #2571244 by Eldad
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Alessandro and Giulia are getting ready to go out after a long day.
- AlessandroGiulia, avvicinati un attimo.Giulia, come closer for a moment.
- GiuliaChe c'è, Alessandro?What is it, Alessandro?
- AlessandroPuzzi moltissimo, devi farti una doccia.You stink a lot, you need to take a shower.
- GiuliaHai ragione, sono stata fuori tutto il giorno.You're right, I've been out all day.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
