Translation guide
The English word 'hateful' describes something that inspires hatred, is full of malice, or is extremely unpleasant. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent. The best translation depends on whether you mean 'deserving hatred', 'full of hate', or 'detestable/awful'.
Describing a person, action, or thing that inspires hatred or intense dislike.
The most direct adjective for 'hateful' in the sense of 'detestable'. Often used for people or actions that cause resentment.
I can't stand his hateful attitude.
More emotional and colloquial than 憎い. Conveys 'obnoxiously hateful' or 'irritatingly detestable'.
I hate that hateful way of laughing.
Literary or formal term for 'abominable' or 'detestable', often with a nuance of something cursed or ill-omened.
The memory of that hateful incident won't fade.
Describing speech, looks, or behavior that is filled with hatred.
Used informally to describe something very bad, annoying, or disagreeable, like 'hateful weather' or 'a hateful task'.
The most common and versatile word for 'unpleasant' or 'disagreeable'. Covers many informal uses of 'hateful'.
It's really hateful weather today, isn't it?
Means 'terrible', 'awful', or 'cruel'. Often used for harsh conditions or treatment.
Slang for 'disgusting' or 'pissed off'. Used for things that make you feel sick or angry, similar to 'hateful' in very casual speech.
Saying 憎い人 (nikui hito) is grammatically correct but can sound overly dramatic or archaic. In most cases, it's more natural to describe the person's actions or use 嫌な人 (iya na hito) for 'unpleasant person'.
He's a really hateful person.
憎い (nikui) is a straightforward adjective for 'hateful/detestable'. 憎たらしい (nikutarashii) adds a nuance of irritation and is more emotional, often used for petty annoyances or childish behavior. 憎い can be used in serious contexts, while 憎たらしい is rarely used for truly serious matters.
Please stop spreading hateful rumors.
Literally 'poisonous', used figuratively for vitriolic, venomous speech or colors. Can describe hateful rhetoric.
I was hurt by his hateful words.
ひどい目にあった。
I had a hateful experience.
あの映画は本当にむかつく。
That movie is really hateful.