See also: smakā

Latvian

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

Traditionally considered borrowed from Middle Low German smak (taste; smell) or Saterland Frisian smaka or Middle Dutch smake, which is supported by its use in 17th-century texts to mean not only “smell,” but also “taste.” This may however have been a purely written usage, given the absence at the time of a term for “taste;” other writings of the period suggest that the “taste” meaning was rare or unattested among speakers. If this is so, the word might actually not be a borrowing, but an indigenous formation, from the stem of the verb smakt (to stifle; to choke; to gasp) (q.v.), made into a 4th-declension feminine noun. Since ancient Baltic and Iranian tribes were neighbors for some time, there may also be influence from Iranian languages (cf. Ossetian смаг (smag, odor). Originally, smaka had a broader meaning, “smell, odor” (in general); in the 19th century, the phrase laba smaka “good odor” still occurred. Later on it switched senses with smarža (which used to mean “bad smell” but is now neutral; q.v.).[1]

Pronunciation

edit
  This entry needs an audio pronunciation. If you are a native speaker with a microphone, please record this word. The recorded pronunciation will appear here when it's ready.

Noun

edit

smaka m

  1. (dialectal) genitive singular of smaks

smaka f (4th declension)

  1. (usually bad) smell, stink, stench
    nepatīkama, kodīga smakaunpleasant, pungent smell
    pēlējuma, sēra, sviedru smakamold, sulphur, sweat smell
    salda, skāba smakasweet, sour smell
    nejust nekādu smakuto not feel any smell
    sajust dūmu samkuto feel the smell of smoke
    izvēdināt piedeguma smakuto disperse the burned smell (by ventilating the room)
    pretīga gruzduma smaka tā piesātinājusi visu apkārtni, ka grūti bija elpotthe disgusting stench of smoke had saturated the whole neighborhood, so that it was hard to breathe

Declension

edit

Synonyms

edit
edit

References

edit
  1. ^ Karulis, Konstantīns (1992) “smaka”, in Latviešu Etimoloģijas Vārdnīca[1] (in Latvian), Rīga: AVOTS, →ISBN

Norwegian Nynorsk

edit

Alternative forms

edit

Etymology

edit

From German Low German smaken.

Pronunciation

edit

Verb

edit

smaka (present tense smakar or smaker, past tense smaka or smakte, past participle smaka or smakt, present participle smakande, imperative smak)

  1. to taste (something)
    Eg smakte på kaka.I tasted the cake.
  2. to taste (of something)
    Kaka smakte godt.The cake tasted nice.

Derived terms

edit
edit

References

edit

Polish

edit

Pronunciation

edit
  • IPA(key): /ˈsmaka/
  • Audio:(file)
  • Rhymes: -aka
  • Syllabification: sma‧ka

Noun

edit

smaka m inan

  1. (nonstandard, colloquial) accusative singular of smak
  2. (nonstandard, colloquial) genitive singular of smak

Swedish

edit

Pronunciation

edit

Verb

edit

smaka (present smakar, preterite smakade, supine smakat, imperative smaka)

  1. to taste
    Hon hade aldrig smakat glass förut.She had never tasted ice cream before.
    Det smakar gott.It tastes good.

Conjugation

edit

Further reading

edit

Anagrams

edit