Translation guide
To feel strong dislike or contempt for someone or something. In Japanese, this is expressed through various verbs and phrases that convey hatred, contempt, or looking down on someone.
Expressing strong dislike or contempt for a person, often with a moral or emotional judgment.
To despise, scorn, or look down on someone. This is the most direct equivalent and is commonly used for contempt.
彼は嘘つきを軽蔑している。
He despises liars.
To detest or abhor someone, often with a strong emotional reaction. Slightly more intense than 軽蔑する.
彼女は不正を嫌悪している。
She despises injustice.
To hate or detest someone. This is a strong word for hatred, often used for deep-seated animosity.
彼は裏切った友人を憎んでいる。
He despises the friend who betrayed him.
To look down on someone, to despise as inferior. Often used for social or intellectual superiority.
彼は学歴のない人を見下している。
He despises people without a formal education.
To despise utterly, to loathe. A very strong and somewhat literary term.
彼の行為は唾棄すべきだ。
His actions are despicable.
Expressing strong dislike or moral rejection of an abstract concept, action, or thing.
Can also be used for abstract things, like behavior or attitudes.
彼女は怠惰を軽蔑している。
She despises laziness.
Strong aversion to something, often used for moral or aesthetic disgust.
彼は暴力を嫌悪している。
He despises violence.
Cannot stand something; expresses intense dislike or intolerance.
彼の無礼な態度は我慢ならない。
I despise his rude attitude.
Expressing self-loathing or intense self-criticism.
To despise oneself, often for a specific failing.
彼は自分の弱さを軽蔑した。
He despised his own weakness.
To fall into self-hatred or self-loathing. A common phrase for despising oneself.
彼は失敗して自己嫌悪に陥った。
He despised himself after failing.
軽蔑 (keibetsu) is contempt or scorn, often for moral or intellectual inferiority. 嫌悪 (ken'o) is disgust or abhorrence, a visceral reaction. 憎む (nikumu) is deep hatred, often personal and long-lasting. Choose based on the nuance: looking down (軽蔑), feeling disgusted (嫌悪), or hating (憎む).
While 軽蔑する is the closest equivalent, it can sound formal or strong. In casual speech, Japanese speakers might use 嫌い (kirai, 'dislike') or 大嫌い (daikirai, 'hate') for less intense feelings. Reserve 軽蔑する for clear contempt.