German Conversation · Level 10
89 words
German word
stinken
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈʃtɪŋkən/
Meaning
- verbstink
Example
Nach dem Regen stinkt es oft draußen.
It often stinks outside after the rain.
More examples
Nach dem Grillen stinkt die Kleidung oft nach Rauch.
After grilling, the clothes often reek of smoke.
Core concept
An unpleasant smell hangs over a place, and figuratively a situation can feel unacceptable or lousy.
Common phrases
nach Schweiß stinken
reek of sweat
nach Rauch stinken
reek of smoke
Similar words
riechen: Detect or perceive a smell.
müffeln: Give off a stale, unpleasant smell after being left unattended.
duften: Give off a gentle, pleasant fragrance.
Definition in German
einen starken, unangenehmen Geruch abgeben; stark übel riechen
Word origin
Stinken is a native Germanic formation cognate with English stink rather than a later loanword.
Usage tips
- In the colloquial phrase Das stinkt mir, the verb means that something annoys or frustrates the speaker, not that the speaker smells bad.
Other meanings
- be lousyverb
Opposites
- wohlriechensmell pleasantverb
Related words
- Gestankstenchnoun
- stinkigstinkyadjective