Translation guide
Expressing strong dislike or hatred in Japanese, ranging from formal disgust to casual loathing.
Expressing a general feeling of detestation or intense dislike toward something or someone.
A formal noun meaning 'disgust' or 'detestation'. Often used in written or serious contexts.
Expressing detestation for a particular behavior or circumstance, often with a verb phrase.
A pattern meaning 'can't stand' or 'unbearable'. Used for things that provoke strong irritation.
The English noun 'detestation' is rarely used in casual speech. In Japanese, it's more natural to use verbs or adjectives like 大嫌い or phrases like 我慢ならない. Using 嫌悪 in casual conversation may sound overly formal or dramatic.
嫌悪 (けんお) is disgust or revulsion, often toward abstract things or behaviors. 憎悪 (ぞうお) is deeper hatred, often toward people or groups, and can imply a desire for harm. 嫌悪 is more common for 'detestation' in a moral or aesthetic sense.
I felt detestation toward his actions.
A very common and casual way to say 'hate' or 'detest'. Stronger than 嫌い.
I detest liars.
A strong noun for 'hatred' or 'abhorrence', often implying deep-seated animosity.
She harbors detestation for injustice.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to instinctively dislike' or 'can't stand'. Literally 'the bug doesn't like it'.
I just can't stand that guy.
A feeling of disgust or being fed up, often with a sense of weariness.
I grew to detest the same daily work.
I detest his rude attitude.
Means 'cannot bear' or 'cannot endure'. Emphasizes the inability to tolerate something.
I cannot bear his lies.
Literally 'hate to the point of nausea'. A very strong, dramatic expression of detestation.
I detest that movie so much it makes me sick.