peste
/pess-teh/
stench
In Spanish, 'peste' can refer to a very strong, unpleasant stench.
peste(noun)
stench
?a very strong, unpleasant smell
stink
?informal way to describe a bad smell
,whiff
?a sudden bad smell
📝 In Action
¡Qué peste hay en esta habitación! Abre la ventana.
A2What a stench in this room! Open the window.
El cubo de basura echa una peste insoportable.
B1The trash can is giving off an unbearable stink.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender of the word
This word is feminine, so you should always use 'la' or 'una' with it, even if the smell is 'masculine' in your mind!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Peste vs. Pesto
Mistake: "Using 'pesto' to mean a bad smell."
Correction: Use 'peste' for smells. 'Pesto' is the delicious green Italian pasta sauce!
⭐ Usage Tips
Expressing disgust
Use '¡Qué peste!' as a quick way to say 'It stinks!' when you walk into a smelly room.
The word 'peste' is also used to describe a plague or a contagious epidemic.
peste(noun)
plague
?a contagious bacterial disease or epidemic
pestilence
?a fatal epidemic disease
📝 In Action
La peste negra acabó con millones de personas en Europa.
B1The Black Death (plague) killed millions of people in Europe.
Hubo una peste que afectó a todo el ganado.
B2There was a plague that affected all the livestock.
💡 Grammar Points
Talking about history
When talking about the famous historical 'Black Death,' we always say 'La Peste Negra.'
To speak 'pestes' of someone means to say nasty or mean things about them.
📝 In Action
Mi ex habló pestes de mí después de romper.
B2My ex said nasty things about me after breaking up.
Este niño es una peste, no para de gritar.
B1This kid is a real pest; he won't stop screaming.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing people
Calling someone 'una peste' is a common way to say they are annoying or a nuisance, similar to calling them a 'pest' in English.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: peste
Question 1 of 2
What does the phrase 'hablar pestes' mean?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'peste' a swear word?
No, it is not a swear word. It is a slightly informal but acceptable word to describe a bad smell or an annoying person.
Does 'peste' only refer to the Black Death?
While it is the name for the plague, in modern daily life, it is much more frequently used to mean a bad smell or to describe someone annoying.