der Gestank
stench
A very strong and unpleasant smell.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Kochen von Kohl breitete sich ein übler Gestank in der ganzen Wohnung aus.
After cooking cabbage, a foul stench spread throughout the apartment.
der Gestank
stench
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Meanings
Usage tips
Word family
'Der Gestank' (the stench) is the noun related to the verb 'stinken' (to stink). When something stinks, it gives off a Gestank. The prefix 'Ge-' is often used to form nouns from verbs.
EXAMPLE
Was stinkt hier so?
What stinks so much here?
Typical collocations
Since 'Gestank' is already negative, it is often combined with strongly intensifying adjectives such as 'übel' (foul), 'fürchterlich' (terrible), 'scheußlich' (horrible), or 'unerträglich' (unbearable).
EXAMPLE
Ein übler Gestank kam aus dem Abfluss.
A foul stench came from the drain.
Correct preposition
To name the source of the stench, the prepositions 'von' (from/of) or 'nach' (of/like) are used. 'Von' is somewhat more general, while 'nach' describes a more specific smell.
EXAMPLE
Der Gestank von verbranntem Plastik zog durch die Straße.
The stench of burned plastic drifted through the street.
Compare with
Gestank vs Geruch
smell
Geruch generally refers to a perception through the nose and can be pleasant or unpleasant. Gestank, on the other hand, is always very strong and unpleasant. Use Geruch in a neutral statement and Gestank when you want to explicitly emphasize the repulsive intensity.
Gestank
Im Keller war ein starker Gestank kaum auszuhalten.
The strong stench in the basement was almost unbearable.
Geruch
Im Keller war ein unangenehmer Geruch zu bemerken.
There was an unpleasant smell in the basement.
In real life
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