Translation guide
Expressing strong dislike or hatred in Japanese, ranging from casual aversion to deep-seated loathing.
Express that you strongly dislike something or someone, often in everyday conversation.
The most common and natural way to say you strongly dislike or hate something/someone. Used in casual and neutral contexts.
I loathe insects.
I can't stand him.
Simply means 'dislike'. Less intense than 大嫌い, but can still convey strong aversion depending on context.
I dislike natto.
Literally 'cannot endure', used when you find something unbearable or intolerable.
I can't stand his attitude.
Express a profound, often long-lasting hatred or loathing, stronger than everyday dislike.
To hate deeply, often with a sense of resentment or grudge. Can be used for people or abstract things.
He loathes the friend who betrayed him.
To feel disgust or strong aversion. Often used in more formal or written contexts.
She loathes injustice.
An idiomatic expression meaning to be disgusted or to feel revulsion, literally 'insect saliva runs'. Strong visceral reaction.
The sight of him makes me sick.
Express contempt or scorn, often combined with a sense of moral superiority.
Express strong moral or principled hatred, often in formal or written language.
English 'loathe' often implies a deep, visceral hatred. In Japanese, directly translating with a single word can sound overly dramatic or unnatural in casual speech. Use 大嫌い for everyday strong dislike, and reserve words like 憎む or 嫌悪する for more intense or formal contexts.
嫌い (kirai) is the standard word for 'dislike'. 大嫌い (daikirai) intensifies it to 'hate' or 'can't stand'. In many situations where an English speaker might say 'loathe', 大嫌い is the most natural equivalent.
I dislike green peppers.
I loathe green peppers.
I loathe getting up early.
She loathes hypocrisy.
彼女は弱い者を蔑むような人ではない。
She is not the kind of person who despises the weak.