رائحتك كريهة
ra'ihatuka kariha
To say "you're smelly" in Arabic, use رائحتك كريهة (ra'ihatuka kariha).
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have an unpleasant body odor.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ra'ihatuka (your smell) and kariha (unpleasant/loathsome).
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. To address a female, the suffix '-ka' in ra'ihatuka changes to '-ki' to become رائحتكِ كريهة.
How do you pronounce it?
ra'ihatuka kariha
Did you know?
- While the phrase is grammatically correct, saying it directly to someone's face can be seen as much more aggressive and insulting in many Arab cultures than it might be in a casual English setting.
- Arabic has a specific linguistic distinction between a 'smell' that is generally pleasant and one that is foul. While رائحة is neutral, the term نتن is used specifically for the putrid smell of decay or rotting meat.
- Because scents are deeply tied to hospitality in the Arab world, the opposite of رائحتك كريهة is often expressed through the concept of طيب, which means both 'good' and 'perfumed'.
Examples in context
- رائحتك كريهة جدًا اليوم.Ra'ihatuka kariha jiddan al-yawm.Your smell is very bad today.
- لماذا رائحتك كريهة هكذا؟Limadha ra'ihatuka kariha hakadha?Why is your smell so bad?
- رائحتك كريهة بسبب العرق.Ra'ihatuka kariha bisabab al-'araq.You're smelly because of sweat.
Example conversation
A sister talking to her brother after he finished exercising.
- مريم Maryamيا يوسف، رائحتك كريهة.Ya Yusuf, ra'ihatuka kariha.Yusuf, you're smelly.
- يوسف Youssefأنا متعب من الرياضة.Ana mut'ab min al-riyadah.I am tired from sports.
- مريم Maryamعليك الاستحمام الآن.Alayka al-istihmam al-an.You should shower now.
- يوسف Youssefحسناً، سأفعل ذلك.Hasanan, sa-af'al dhalik.Okay, I will do that.
