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brenzlig

smelling of burning, acrid

adjective BREN-tslikh Rare
Descriptions & Qualities Conditions

Also means

precarious, dicey (situation)

Usage Note

brenzlig describes the sharp, acrid smell of something scorching — ein brenzliger Geruch. Figuratively es wird brenzlig means a situation is becoming dangerous or uncomfortable. The figurative use is very common in spoken German.

Examples

"Es roch brenzlig aus der Küche — das Essen war angebrannt."

Natural Translation

There was a burning smell from the kitchen — the food had burnt.

Literal Translation

It smelled burning from the kitchen — the food was scorched.

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