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.
彼の憎い態度に我慢できない。
I can't stand his hateful attitude.
More emotional and colloquial than 憎い. Conveys 'obnoxiously hateful' or 'irritatingly detestable'.
あの憎たらしい笑い方が嫌いだ。
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.
忌まわしい事件の記憶が消えない。
The memory of that hateful incident won't fade.
Describing speech, looks, or behavior that is filled with hatred.
Literally 'filled with hatred'. Used to modify nouns like 'words', 'eyes', 'speech'.
彼は憎しみに満ちた目で私を見た。
He looked at me with hateful eyes.
Means 'malicious' or 'spiteful'. Suitable for hateful comments or actions driven by ill will.
悪意のある噂を流すのはやめてください。
Please stop spreading hateful rumors.
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'.
今日は本当に嫌な天気だね。
It's really hateful weather today, isn't it?
Means 'terrible', 'awful', or 'cruel'. Often used for harsh conditions or treatment.
ひどい目にあった。
I had a hateful experience.
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'.
彼は本当に嫌な人だ。
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.
Literally 'poisonous', used figuratively for vitriolic, venomous speech or colors. Can describe hateful rhetoric.
彼の毒々しい言葉に傷ついた。
I was hurt by his hateful words.
あの映画は本当にむかつく。
That movie is really hateful.