Translation guide
Describes something that is morally repulsive, disgusting, or detestable. Japanese expresses this through adjectives and verbs that convey strong aversion, often with nuances of moral outrage or physical revulsion.
Expressing that an action, idea, or behavior is morally abhorrent and inspires hatred or strong disapproval.
Literally 'should be hated', this is a common and strong way to say something is abhorrent in a moral sense. It emphasizes that the thing deserves hatred.
彼の行動は憎むべきだ。
His actions are abhorrent.
Means 'unforgivable' or 'hard to forgive'. Often used for morally abhorrent acts that cannot be tolerated.
その犯罪は許しがたい。
That crime is abhorrent.
Conveys a sense of something being abominable, detestable, and bringing bad feelings. Often used for acts or events that are morally repugnant.
忌まわしい事件が起きた。
An abhorrent incident occurred.
Literally 'should be spat out in disgust'. A very strong, literary expression for something utterly contemptible and abhorrent.
彼の差別発言は唾棄すべきだ。
His discriminatory remarks are abhorrent.
Describing something that causes physical revulsion or disgust, such as a smell, sight, or substance.
Means 'disgusting' or 'revolting' in a physical sense, often implying something that makes you shudder. Can also be used for morally repulsive things.
おぞましい臭いがした。
There was an abhorrent smell.
A casual verb meaning 'to feel sick' or 'to be disgusted'. Often used for things that are physically nauseating or irritating.
A very common phrase meaning 'gross' or 'disgusting'. It can describe physical revulsion or a creepy feeling.
Expressing that something is so contrary to one's values or sensibilities that it is abhorrent.
A pattern meaning 'cannot stand/bear ~'. It conveys that something is so abhorrent to you that you cannot tolerate it.
不正は耐えられない。
Injustice is abhorrent to me.
Means 'incompatible' or 'cannot coexist'. Used when an idea or principle is fundamentally abhorrent to another.
彼の考えは私の信念と相容れない。
His ideas are abhorrent to my beliefs.
憎むべき focuses on the emotion of hatred towards the act, while 許しがたい emphasizes that the act cannot be forgiven or overlooked. Both are strong, but 許しがたい is often used in contexts of betrayal or serious moral violations.
彼の裏切りは許しがたい。
His betrayal is abhorrent (unforgivable).
その残酷な行為は憎むべきだ。
That cruel act is abhorrent (hateful).
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'abhorrent'. Using a direct dictionary equivalent like 憎悪すべき may sound unnatural or overly dramatic. Choose the expression based on whether you mean morally repulsive, physically disgusting, or personally intolerable.
その光景を見てむかついた。
I felt abhorrent at the sight.
その虫は気持ち悪い。
That bug is abhorrent.