Translation guide
Expressing strong disgust, aversion, or moral opposition in Japanese. The most natural ways range from physical revulsion to principled rejection.
Expressing a visceral, gut-level reaction of disgust toward something physically unpleasant.
A strong noun meaning 'disgust' or 'aversion'. Often used in formal or written contexts, but also in speech for intense feelings.
I felt repugnance at his behavior.
Literally 'to feel nauseous', used figuratively for something so disgusting it makes you sick.
The sight was so repugnant it made me sick.
Casual verb meaning 'to feel disgusted' or 'to be grossed out'. Common in everyday speech.
That smell is repulsive.
Adjective meaning 'gross' or 'disgusting'. Very common in casual conversation.
That bug is repulsive.
Expressing deep moral disgust or principled rejection of an idea or action.
Means 'antipathy' or 'repugnance' toward a person or idea. Often used in phrases like 反感を抱く (to harbor repugnance).
I felt strong repugnance toward his proposal.
Literally 'hard to accept', used to express that something is morally repugnant or unacceptable.
A noun meaning 'feeling of disgust', often used for moral repugnance. Slightly more formal than 嫌悪 alone.
Means 'unforgivable', often used to express strong moral repugnance.
Such an act is absolutely repugnant.
Expressing a general feeling of strong dislike or aversion, not necessarily physical or moral.
The most common word for 'dislike', but can be intensified with adverbs to express repugnance.
I have a deep repugnance for liars.
Means 'irrational aversion' or 'prejudice'. Implies a strong, often baseless repugnance.
A literary term for 'disgust' or 'abhorrence'. Rare in everyday speech.
English 'repugnance' is often translated as 嫌悪 (けんお) in dictionaries, but in casual speech, simpler words like 気持ち悪い or むかつく are more natural for physical disgust. For moral repugnance, 受け入れがたい or 許せない are often better choices.
That idea is repugnant to me.
He expressed his repugnance toward injustice.
彼は納豆を毛嫌いしている。
He has an irrational repugnance for natto.
He harbored feelings of repugnance toward war.