Translation guide
The English word 'awful' is used to describe something very bad, unpleasant, or terrible. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent that covers all uses. The best choice depends on what is being described and the degree of formality.
Expressing that something is extremely bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality in a general sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'awful' in the sense of terrible, cruel, or severe. Can describe situations, weather, people's actions, etc.
今日の天気はひどいね。
The weather is awful today, isn't it?
彼の態度はひどかった。
His attitude was awful.
Literally 'the worst'. Very common in casual speech to mean 'awful' or 'terrible'. Stronger than ひどい.
Often used as an adverb meaning 'very' or 'awfully', but as a na-adjective it can mean 'terrible' or 'awful' (e.g., a terrible situation). More formal than ひどい.
Describing food, drink, or odors that are extremely unpleasant.
The standard word for 'tastes awful' or 'bad-tasting'. Also used metaphorically for situations that are bad or awkward.
Expressing that one feels very unwell, sick, or emotionally distressed.
Describing someone who is cruel, mean, or behaves terribly.
Again, the most versatile. 'You're awful' or 'That's an awful thing to do'.
Saying someone is very bad at a particular activity or skill.
The standard way to say 'bad at ~'. Insert the activity before が. For 'awful', you can add とても or すごく.
私は料理がすごく下手です。
I'm awful at cooking.
Describing an event, experience, or circumstance that was terrible.
There is no one-size-fits-all Japanese word for 'awful'. Using ひどい for everything can sound unnatural. Choose the expression that matches the specific context (taste, feeling, skill, etc.).
ひどい is the most general and can be used in both casual and formal settings. 最悪 is very casual and emphatic ('the worst!'). 大変 is more formal and often used for serious or difficult situations.
昨日のテスト、最悪だった。
Yesterday's test was awful.
大変なことになった。
Something awful has happened.
このコーヒー、まずい。
This coffee tastes awful.
Means 'smells bad' or 'stinks'. Use for awful smells.
この部屋、臭い。
This room smells awful.
Literally 'awful taste'. A more general phrase when まずい doesn't fit perfectly.
この薬はひどい味がする。
This medicine tastes awful.
Literally 'the worst feeling'. Emphasizes extreme emotional distress.
失恋して最悪の気分だ。
I feel awful after the breakup.
Specifically refers to physical condition. 'I'm in awful shape' or 'I feel awful physically'.
風邪で体調が悪い。
I feel awful because of a cold.
そんなこと言うなんてひどいよ。
That's an awful thing to say.
Means 'the lowest' or 'despicable'. Stronger than ひどい for moral judgment. Often used for awful people.
彼は最低な人間だ。
He's an awful person.
Means 'cruel' or 'brutal'. Used for awful acts of cruelty.
それは残酷な行為だ。
That's an awful act.
Means 'weak at' or 'not good at'. Softer than 下手, often used for personal weaknesses.
数学が大の苦手です。
I'm really awful at math.
As a na-adjective, it means 'terrible' or 'awful' for situations. Often used in polite or formal contexts.
大変な一日でした。
It was an awful day.
Means 'miserable' or 'tragic'. Stronger and more emotional than 大変.
事故の現場は悲惨だった。
The accident scene was awful.
An idiom meaning 'to have an awful experience' or 'go through hell'.
旅行中にひどい目に遭った。
I had an awful experience during the trip.