apesta
/ah-PES-tah/
stinks
When something apesta, it literally stinks or smells foul.
📝 In Action
¡Qué asco! El contenedor de reciclaje apesta.
A2Gross! The recycling bin stinks.
Mi perro se revolcó en el barro y ahora apesta a humedad.
B1My dog rolled in the mud and now he smells foul (stinks) of dampness.
💡 Grammar Points
Focus on the 'It' Subject
When describing a bad smell, you often use 'apesta' because the subject is usually an object or location (the trash, the room, the food) which uses the 'él/ella/usted' form.
⭐ Usage Tips
Stronger than 'Oler'
Remember that 'apestar' is much stronger than 'oler mal' (to smell bad). Use 'apestar' only when the odor is truly offensive or overwhelming.
Figuratively, apesta can mean that something 'sucks' or is terrible.
apesta(Verb (Conjugation))
sucks
?is terrible, is awful
is disgusting
?figurative disapproval
📝 In Action
Esa película apesta, no pierdas tu tiempo viéndola.
B2That movie sucks (is terrible), don't waste your time watching it.
Mi trabajo apesta, el ambiente es muy tóxico.
C1My job is awful (sucks), the atmosphere is very toxic.
💡 Grammar Points
Figurative Use
This meaning uses the idea of a bad smell to describe something of poor quality, usually a non-physical thing like a plan, a job, or a piece of entertainment.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Too Formal Context
Mistake: "Using 'apesta' in a formal business email to describe a competitor's product."
Correction: This usage is too informal for serious contexts. Use 'es de baja calidad' (it is low quality) instead.
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing Strong Dislike
This is a powerful, casual way to express that you strongly dislike something. It’s similar to English slang like 'this blows' or 'this sucks.'
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: apesta
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'apesta' in its figurative, informal meaning?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'apesta' a rude word?
When used literally (to describe a bad smell), it is just a strong descriptive word. When used figuratively (to say something 'sucks'), it is very informal and can be considered strong language, so it's best reserved for casual conversations with friends.