Translation guide
The English word "accursed" is a strong, often literary or archaic term meaning "under a curse" or "damned." It can describe people, places, or things that are believed to bring misfortune or are intensely disliked. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent; the best translation depends on whether you mean literally cursed, figuratively hateful, or as an exclamation.
Describing someone or something that is literally cursed, often in a supernatural or fateful sense.
The most direct translation, meaning "cursed." It is the past tense of 呪う (to curse) and is used for people, objects, or places believed to be under a curse.
彼は呪われた運命にある。
He is under an accursed fate.
No one goes near that accursed castle.
Specifically implies being cursed by a vengeful spirit or divine punishment, often resulting in misfortune or illness. Stronger supernatural connotation than 呪われた.
祟られた土地には家を建ててはいけない。
You must not build a house on accursed land.
Means "abominable" or "detestable," often with a sense of being cursed or bringing bad luck. Used in literary contexts.
忌まわしい記憶が蘇る。
Accursed memories come back to life.
Expressing intense dislike or frustration toward a person, thing, or situation, often used hyperbolically.
Conveys annoyance and irritation, like "damned" or "accursed" in a figurative sense. Commonly used in everyday speech when frustrated.
忌々しい雨のせいで試合が中止になった。
The accursed rain caused the game to be canceled.
あの忌々しい男がまた来た。
That accursed man came again.
Means "hateful" or "detestable." Less supernatural, more about personal animosity. Can be used in phrases like 憎い敵 (accursed enemy).
An archaic or literary adjective meaning "cursed" or "detestable." Rarely used in modern conversation.
Used as an interjection to express strong annoyance, similar to "damn!" or "curses!"
A common exclamation equivalent to "damn!" or "curses!" Used when something goes wrong. Not literally about curses, but matches the emotional tone of "accursed!"
くそっ、また負けた。
Accursed! I lost again.
Literally "beast" or "brute," but used as an exclamation like "damn it!" or "curses!" Stronger than くそっ and can be considered vulgar.
ちくしょう、また騙された。
Accursed! I've been tricked again.
When using "accursed" to express frustration (e.g., "this accursed computer"), do not directly translate with 呪われた unless you mean it is literally cursed. Use 忌々しい or rephrase with an exclamation instead.
この忌々しいパソコンがまたフリーズした。
This accursed computer froze again.
呪われた is a general term for being cursed, often by a person or spell. 祟られた implies a curse from a supernatural entity (like a ghost or god) causing ongoing misfortune. Use 祟られた for haunted or divinely punished contexts.
Defeat the accursed enemy.
呪わしい過去を忘れたい。
I want to forget the accursed past.