der  Alkoholgeruch

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈalkoˌhoːlɡəˌʁʊx/

👃 What's that Smell? The Definition

Der Alkoholgeruch refers to the characteristic smell produced by the presence of alcohol, especially ethanol. This smell can emanate from alcoholic beverages themselves, from a person who has consumed alcohol (often called an Alkoholfahne), or from substances containing alcohol, such as disinfectants ('Desinfektionsmittel').

It's a compound noun formed from:

• Alkohol: The chemical substance (ethanol).
• Geruch: The sensory perception through the nose (smell, odor).

⚠️ The smell alone is not proof of intoxication ('Trunkenheit'), but it can be a strong indicator.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar under the Microscope: Der Alkoholgeruch

The word "Alkoholgeruch" is a masculine noun. Its article is der.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Polizist bemerkte sofort den starken Alkoholgeruch im Auto.
   (The police officer immediately noticed the strong smell of alcohol in the car.)
2. Ein leichter Alkoholgeruch lag in der Luft nach der Party.
   (A faint smell of alcohol lingered in the air after the party.)
3. Wegen seines Alkoholgeruchs wurde er nicht ins Flugzeug gelassen.
   (Because of his smell of alcohol, he wasn't allowed on the plane.)
4. Manchmal können auch Medikamente einen seltsamen Alkoholgeruch verursachen.
   (Sometimes medications can also cause a strange alcohol smell.)
5. Die verschiedenen Alkoholgerüche von Wein und Bier sind deutlich unterscheidbar.
   (The different smells of alcohol from wine and beer are clearly distinguishable.)

💬 When Do We Talk About 'Alkoholgeruch'?

The term Alkoholgeruch is used in various contexts:

• Everyday Life: Often in connection with people who have drunk alcohol (breath, clothes). Example: "Er hatte gestern Abend eine deutliche Alkoholfahne, der Alkoholgeruch war nicht zu überriechen." (He clearly smelled of alcohol last night, the smell of alcohol was unmistakable.)
• During Checks: Police ('Polizei') or security personnel pay attention to 'Alkoholgeruch' as a possible sign of alcohol consumption. Example: "Der Fahrer fiel durch starken Alkoholgeruch auf." (The driver attracted attention due to a strong smell of alcohol.)
• In Enclosed Spaces: After parties or when alcohol has been spilled. Example: "Am Morgen danach hing noch immer ein schwerer Alkoholgeruch im Zimmer." (The morning after, a heavy smell of alcohol still hung in the room.)
• Medical/Chemical: Describing the smell of alcoholic solutions (e.g., disinfectants). Example: "Der Alkoholgeruch des Desinfektionsmittels ist sehr intensiv." (The alcohol smell of the disinfectant is very intense.)

Distinction: While Alkoholgeruch is the general term, Alkoholfahne (or colloquially Schnapsfahne) specifically refers to the smell of someone's breath after drinking alcohol.

💡 Memory Aids for 'Alkoholgeruch'

Article Aid: Think of 'Geruch' (smell/odor). Many common smells in German are masculine: 'der Rauch' (smoke), 'der Duft' (scent), 'der Gestank' (stench). So, keep the 'der' for 'der Geruch', making it der Alkoholgeruch.

Meaning Aid: The word is transparent: Alkohol (alcohol) + Geruch (smell) = The smell of alcohol. Easy peasy! 😉

🔄 Similar & Opposite: Synonyms and Antonyms

🚨 Caution: Don't confuse 'Alkoholgeruch' with the smell of fermentation ('Gärung'), e.g., from overripe fruit, which can be similar but doesn't directly come from consumed alcohol.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Polizist bei der Verkehrskontrolle: "Haben Sie etwas getrunken?"
Der Fahrer antwortet: "Nein, Herr Wachtmeister, kein Tröpfchen!"
Polizist: "Komisch, mein Alkoholtester hier im Auto schlägt aber wegen des starken Alkoholgeruchs schon Alarm!"
Fahrer: "Ach, das ist nur mein neues Parfüm: 'Eau de Promille'!" 😉

Translation:
The police officer asks during a traffic stop: "Have you had anything to drink?"
The driver replies: "No, officer, not a drop!"
Officer: "Strange, my breathalyzer here in the car is already going off because of the strong smell of alcohol!"
Driver: "Oh, that's just my new perfume: 'Eau de BAC'!" 😉

✒️ Poem about 'Alkoholgeruch'

Ein Hauch zieht durch den Raum,
kaum zu fassen, wie ein Traum.
Der Alkoholgeruch, mal herb, mal süß,
erzählt von Feier, Glas und Genuss – und manchmal von Verdruss.
Mal flüchtig, mal bleibt er lang,
ein olfaktorischer Gesang.

Translation:
A whiff drifts through the room,
hard to grasp, like a dream's bloom.
The smell of alcohol, sometimes tart, sometimes sweet,
tells of parties, glass, and treat – and sometimes of defeat.
Sometimes fleeting, sometimes it stays long,
an olfactory song.

❓ Little Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch zeug' von manchem Schluck.
Ich habe keine Nase, doch bringe dich in Druck.
Bin ich zu stark bei dir, ruft man vielleicht die Wacht.
Was bin ich für ein Duft, der oft verrät die Nacht?

Lösung: Der Alkoholgeruch

Translation:
I have no mouth, yet tell of many a sip.
I have no nose, yet can cause you to slip (into trouble).
If I am too strong on you, someone might call the guard.
What kind of scent am I, that often reveals the night's regard?

Solution: The smell of alcohol (Der Alkoholgeruch)

🧩 Word Building Blocks: Der Alkoholgeruch

The word Alkoholgeruch is a compound noun ('Kompositum'), meaning it's formed by combining two independent words:

• Der Alkohol: Originally from Arabic ("al-kuhl", which initially meant finely powdered antimony for eye makeup, later generalized to fine substances and distilled essences like spirit of wine).
• Der Geruch: The perception of scents with the sense of smell. The word has Germanic origins.

So, the composition is very direct and describes exactly what it is: the smell ('Geruch') of alcohol ('Alkohol').