der  Gestank

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈʃtaŋk/

👃💨 What exactly is "der Gestank"?

Der Gestank (noun, masculine) refers to a very unpleasant, strong, and often disgusting smell. It's the opposite of a Duft (fragrance) or Wohlgeruch (pleasant smell). You use the word to describe something that smells bad, such as garbage (Müll), spoiled food (verdorbenes Essen), or poor hygiene (mangelnde Hygiene).

There is only one article for this word: der Gestank. It is almost exclusively used in the singular.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📝 Grammar in Detail: Der Gestank

The noun "Gestank" is masculine. The corresponding article is therefore "der". It is generally only used in the singular, as a plural ("die Gestänke") is very uncommon and usually paraphrased (e.g., "verschiedene Arten von Gestank" - different kinds of stench).

Declension Singular

Example Sentences

1. Im Sommer breitete sich oft ein übler Gestank von der Mülltonne aus.
   (In summer, a foul stench often spread from the garbage bin.)
2. Ich konnte den Gestank kaum ertragen.
   (I could hardly bear the stench.)
3. Wir mussten uns trotz des Gestanks nähern.
   (We had to approach despite the stench.)
4. Wegen dem Gestank schlossen wir die Fenster.
   (We closed the windows because of the stench. - Note: Genitive 'des Gestanks' is grammatically more correct here, but Dative is common in spoken language.)

🗣️ How to Use "Gestank" Correctly

"Gestank" is always used when a smell is perceived as distinctly negative and repulsive. It's a strong word.

• Typical Contexts: Verwesung (decomposition), Fäulnis (rot), Abfall (waste), polluted environments, sweat (Schweiß), chemical fumes (chemische Ausdünstungen).
• Difference from "Geruch": While "Geruch" (smell, odour) is neutral (there are good and bad Gerüche), "Gestank" always has negative connotations. Don't say "der Gestank von Rosen" (the stench of roses), but "der Duft von Rosen" (the scent of roses).
• Intensity: "Gestank" implies a high intensity of the bad smell. For a only slightly unpleasant smell, you might use "schlechter Geruch" (bad smell) or "Mief" (colloquial, mostly for stale air).

Example: "Der Gestank aus der Kanalisation war unerträglich." (The stench from the sewer was unbearable.) vs. "Der Geruch von frisch gebackenem Brot zog durchs Haus." (The smell of freshly baked bread wafted through the house.)

🧠 Mnemonics for "der Gestank"

For the Article (der): Think of something stereotypically 'masculine' that might not always smell great, like der sweaty athlete or der old, unwashed sock. Both can create a Gestank. → der Gestank.

For the Meaning (strong, bad smell): The word "Gestank" sounds a bit like the English word "stank" (past tense of stink). The "Ge-" prefix in German often intensifies or collectivizes a noun derived from a verb. Think of it as amplifying "stank" into something significant and unpleasant: Ge-stank.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms for Gestank

Important: The neutral word is der Geruch (the smell/odour). It can be good or bad.

😄 A Little Joke

Fragt der Lehrer: "Was ist geruchlos?"
Meldet sich Fritzchen: "Ein Furz im Weltraum! Niemand kann den Gestank riechen."

Translation:
The teacher asks: "What is odorless?"
Little Fritz answers: "A fart in space! Nobody can smell the stench."

📜 Poem about Gestank

Wo Müll sich türmt, die Luft schwer hängt,
Ein Atemzug, der Lungen zwängt.
Der Gestank, er kriecht in jede Eck',
Verdirbt den Ort, vertreibt den Zweck.
Man rümpft die Nase, flieht geschwind,
Wo faulig Odium beginnt.

Translation:
Where garbage piles up, the air hangs heavy,
A breath that constricts the lungs.
The stench, it creeps into every corner,
Spoils the place, drives away the purpose.
One wrinkles one's nose, flees quickly,
Where foul odour begins.

❓ Riddle

Ich habe keinen Mund, doch jeder flieht,
wenn man mich in der Nase "sieht".
Ich komme oft vom Müll, ganz ungeladen,
und sorge meist für Atemnot und Schaden.

Was bin ich?

Translation:
I have no mouth, yet everyone flees,
when one "sees" me in the nose.
I often come from the garbage, quite uninvited,
and usually cause shortness of breath and harm.

What am I?
Solution: Der Gestank (The stench)

🤓 Other Information

Word Formation: The word "Gestank" is derived from the verb "stinken" (to stink). The prefix "Ge-", as often seen in nouns derived from verbs, is used here to form the noun and can imply a collective or intensive meaning.

Cultural Note: The perception of smells and what is considered a "Gestank" can vary culturally. What smells like a delicacy in one culture (e.g., fermented fish) might be considered an unbearable stench in another.