smaka

See also: smakā

Latvian

Alternative forms

Etymology

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

Noun

smaka m

  1. (dialectal form) genitive singular form 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

Synonyms

  • smakot

References

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

Norwegian Nynorsk

Alternative forms

Etymology

From German Low German smaken

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /²smɑːkɑ/

Verb

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

  • smakebete

References


Polish

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsma.ka/
  • (file)

Noun

smaka m inan

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

Swedish

Pronunciation

  • (file)

Verb

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.
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