Translation guide
Describes someone or something that deserves scorn or disrespect. Japanese expresses this through adjectives for 'despicable', verbs for 'looking down on', and set phrases for moral condemnation.
To describe a person, behavior, or attitude as morally low and deserving contempt.
A strong adjective meaning 'mean', 'despicable', or 'cowardly'. Often used for underhanded acts.
彼の卑劣な行為は許せない。
I can't forgive his contemptible act.
Means 'vulgar' or 'base', emphasizing low character. Stronger and less common than 卑劣.
下劣な言葉遣いをする人だ。
He's a person who uses contemptible language.
Literally 'dirty', but figuratively means 'underhanded' or 'despicable' when describing actions or methods.
汚い手を使うな。
Don't use contemptible tricks.
Means 'shameful' or 'wretched', often implying a pitiful lack of dignity. Can sound literary.
金に執着する浅ましい姿。
A contemptible figure obsessed with money.
To express the act of despising or scorning someone.
The most common verb for 'despise' or 'look down on'. Used for people, actions, or attitudes.
彼は嘘つきを軽蔑している。
He despises liars.
Literally 'look down', meaning to treat someone as inferior. Often implies arrogance.
人を見下すような態度はやめろ。
Stop that contemptible attitude of looking down on people.
A stronger, more literary verb for 'scorn' or 'despise'. Less common in daily speech.
To express strong moral disapproval using fixed expressions.
Means 'unforgivable' or 'intolerable'. Commonly used for contemptible acts.
彼の行動は全く許しがたい。
His behavior is utterly contemptible.
Literally 'shameless', used as a noun or adjective for someone who lacks moral sense.
Idiom meaning 'to be disgusted' or 'to find contemptible', literally 'insects crawl (on my skin)'.
彼の顔を見るだけで虫唾が走る。
Just seeing his face disgusts me; he's contemptible.
There is no single Japanese adjective that covers all uses of 'contemptible'. Choose based on whether you mean 'despicable act' (卑劣), 'vulgar character' (下劣), or 'looking down on' (軽蔑する). Using the wrong word can sound unnatural.
彼は弱い者を蔑むような人間ではない。
He is not the kind of person who scorns the weak.
あんな恥知らずな奴は見たことがない。
I've never seen such a contemptible, shameless guy.