Translation guide
The English word 'horrible' is used to describe something very bad, unpleasant, or shocking. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is being described: a terrible experience, a bad person, awful food, or a shocking event. This guide organizes the most common and natural Japanese expressions by these contexts.
Expressing that something is extremely bad, unpleasant, or of poor quality in a general sense.
The most common and versatile word for 'horrible' in everyday conversation. It can describe situations, weather, treatment, quality, etc.
昨日の天気はひどかった。
Yesterday's weather was horrible.
彼の運転はひどい。
His driving is horrible.
Literally 'the worst'. Very common in casual speech to mean 'horrible' or 'awful'. Often used as an exclamation.
Emphasizes cruelty or brutality. Stronger than ひどい, often used for inhumane acts or severe situations.
Means 'terrible' or 'dreadful' when used as a na-adjective. Often used for difficult or serious situations.
Describing something that is frightening, shocking, or gruesome.
Describing someone's poor ability or the low quality of something.
Means 'unskillful' or 'poor at'. Used for someone's ability in a specific activity.
Expressing that one feels terrible, either sick or emotionally distressed.
Means 'feel sick/unwell' or 'feel bad'. Can be physical or emotional.
気分が悪い。横になりたい。
I feel horrible. I want to lie down.
Describing a person or action that is morally reprehensible.
Commonly used for mean or cruel behavior.
ひどい is the most general and can be used for almost any 'horrible' situation. 最悪 emphasizes that something is the worst possible, often used as an exclamation. 恐ろしい carries a nuance of fear or dread, so it's better for shocking or frightening things.
その映画は最悪だった。
That movie was horrible.
最悪！財布を忘れた。
Horrible! I forgot my wallet.
その事件は酷い内容だった。
The incident was horrible in its details.
それは大変な間違いだ。
That's a horrible mistake.
Means 'frightening' or 'dreadful'. Used for things that inspire fear or are shockingly bad.
恐ろしい事故だった。
It was a horrible accident.
彼は恐ろしい顔をしている。
He has a horrible look on his face.
A phrase meaning 'to shudder' or 'to be horrified'. Used for something that gives you the creeps.
その話を聞いてぞっとした。
I was horrified to hear that story.
A formal, written word meaning 'gruesome' or 'ghastly'. Used for horrific scenes like crime scenes.
凄惨な現場だった。
It was a horrible scene.
彼は歌が下手だ。
He is horrible at singing.
Can also be used for poor quality or performance, similar to 'terrible'.
彼の絵はひどい。
His painting is horrible.
Literally 'the worst feeling'. Used to emphasize feeling terrible emotionally.
失恋して最悪の気分だ。
I feel horrible after the breakup.
彼女にそんなことを言うなんてひどい。
It's horrible to say such a thing to her.
Means 'the lowest' or 'despicable'. Stronger than ひどい for moral judgment.
彼は最低な人間だ。
He is a horrible person.
恐ろしい夢を見た。
I had a horrible dream.
Avoid directly translating 'horrible' as ホリブル (horiburu) in Japanese; it is not a natural word. Use the Japanese expressions above instead.