Translation guide
The English word 'atrocious' describes something extremely bad, unpleasant, or of very poor quality. It can refer to actions, conditions, behavior, or taste. This guide helps learners express these nuances naturally in Japanese.
Expressing that something is terrible, awful, or very bad in a general sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'terrible' or 'awful'. Can describe weather, situations, behavior, etc.
The weather today is atrocious, isn't it?
His attitude was atrocious.
Literally 'the worst'. Stronger than ひどい, often used in casual speech to express extreme dissatisfaction.
This movie was atrocious.
Emphasizes cruelty or brutality. Often used for atrocious acts like violence or harsh treatment.
The crime was atrocious.
Describing something that is badly made, performed, or executed.
Means 'unskillful' or 'poor at something'. Commonly used for atrocious performance or ability.
His driving is atrocious.
I'm atrocious at cooking.
Also used for poor quality, similar to 'terrible' in English.
Means 'the lowest' or 'the worst'. Stronger than ひどい, often used for quality or behavior.
Describing actions or behavior that are morally outrageous or shockingly bad.
An idiomatic expression meaning 'outrageous' or 'preposterous'. Used for atrocious behavior that is beyond excuse.
His behavior is atrocious.
Means 'malicious' or 'vicious'. Often used for atrocious crimes or scams.
Means 'heinous' or 'atrocious' in a criminal sense. Strong and dramatic.
Describing food, drink, or odors that are disgustingly bad.
The standard word for 'bad-tasting'. Can be used for atrocious food or drink.
This coffee is atrocious.
Can also describe bad taste or smell, though less specific than まずい.
Kanji form of まずい, often used in writing. Same meaning.
ひどい is the most general and can be used in most situations. 最悪 (さいあく) is stronger and more casual, often used as an exclamation. 最低 (さいてい) implies something is the worst in terms of quality or morality, and can sound more judgmental.
The English word 'atrocious' can sometimes be translated directly as 残虐な (ざんぎゃくな) or 凶悪な (きょうあくな), but these are very strong and specific to violent crimes. For everyday use, ひどい or 最悪 are more natural.
This translation is atrocious.
あの店のサービスは最低だ。
The service at that store is atrocious.
悪質な詐欺が増えている。
Atrocious scams are on the rise.
極悪非道な犯罪
an atrocious and inhuman crime
This smell is atrocious.
It was atrocious cooking.