In French, there are many different expressions you can use to say that something smells bad or “stinks.” Here are some common options:
1. Ça pue
2. Ça sent mauvais
3. Ça schlingue
4. Ça empeste
5. Quelle puanteur !
6. Ça fouette
1. Ça pue
Literally translating to “it stinks,” this is the most direct way to express that something stinks in French:
- Cette poubelle pue ! – This garbage can stinks!
- Ton parfum pue. – Your perfume stinks.
2. Ça sent mauvais
You can also say “ça sent mauvais” which means “it smells bad”:
- Cette nourriture sent mauvais. – This food smells bad.
- Votre chien sent mauvais. – Your dog smells bad.
3. Ça schlingue
This very informal/slang term is similar to “it reeks” in English:
- Ta chambre schlingue ! – Your room reeks!
- Ce fromage schlingue ! – This cheese reeks!
4. Ça empeste
“Empester” means to stink something up or make something reek:
- La fumée empeste la pièce. – The smoke is making the room reek.
- Ces poubelles empestent toute la rue. – These garbage cans are stinking up the whole street.
5. Quelle puanteur !
You can exclaim “Quelle puanteur!” to say “What a stench!”:
- Quelle puanteur ! Ouvrez les fenêtres ! – What a stench! Open the windows!
6. Ça fouette
The verb “fouetter” means “to stink” or “to reek” in informal French slang. It is used to say that something smells very bad.
- Ça fouette ici ! Ouvre la fenêtre. – It stinks here! Open the window.
- Ton sandwich au fromage fouette. – Your cheese sandwich stinks.
To expand your French vocabulary and avoid common pitfalls, don’t miss this essential read. Useful French Vocabulary for Grocery
