냄새 나
naemsae na
The phrase "you stink" is translated into Korean as 냄새 나 (naemsae na).
This phrase is used generally to indicate any unpleasant odor, such as body odor, sweat or bad-smelling clothes.
Which one should you use?
While the English "you stink" targets the person directly, the Korean phrase 냄새 나 literally translates to "a smell is occurring," which focuses on the presence of the odor rather than the person's character.
How do you pronounce it?
naemsae na
Did you know?
- Korean has several specific words for 'smell' that the general phrase 냄새 나 doesn't distinguish, such as 누린내 for the gamey smell of meat or 찌든내 for the smell of old sweat.
- Depending on the context, saying 냄새 나 can be used metaphorically to suggest that something 'smells fishy' or that a situation feels suspicious.
- To make the phrase more intense, Koreans often add the word 지독하다 meaning 'vicious' or 'extreme', turning it into 지독한 냄새 나.
Examples in context
- 너한테서 냄새 나.neohanteseo naemsae na.You stink.
- 발에서 냄새 나.baleseo naemsae na.Your feet stink.
Example conversation
Ji-eun and Hyeon-u are sitting in a small room.
- 지은 Ji-eun현우야, 너한테서 냄새 나.Hyeon-u-ya, neohanteseo naemsae na.Hyeon-u, you stink.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo진짜? 무슨 냄새?jinjja? museun naemsae?Really? What smell?
- 지은 Ji-eun땀 냄새가 너무 심해.ttam naemsae-ga neomu simhae.The sweat smell is too strong.
- 현우 Hyeon-woo미안, 얼른 씻고 올게.mian, eolleun ssitgo olge.Sorry, I'll go wash up quickly.
