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.
Expressing deep moral disgust or principled rejection of an idea or action.
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.
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.
彼の行動に嫌悪を感じた。
I felt repugnance at his behavior.
Literally 'to feel nauseous', used figuratively for something so disgusting it makes you sick.
その光景は吐き気を催すほどだった。
The sight was so repugnant it made me sick.
Casual verb meaning 'to feel disgusted' or 'to be grossed out'. Common in everyday speech.
あの匂い、むかつく。
That smell is repulsive.
Adjective meaning 'gross' or 'disgusting'. Very common in casual conversation.
その虫、気持ち悪い。
That bug is repulsive.
Means 'antipathy' or 'repugnance' toward a person or idea. Often used in phrases like 反感を抱く (to harbor repugnance).
彼の提案に強い反感を持った。
I felt strong repugnance toward his proposal.
Literally 'hard to accept', used to express that something is morally repugnant or unacceptable.
その考えは私には受け入れがたい。
That idea is repugnant to me.
A noun meaning 'feeling of disgust', often used for moral repugnance. Slightly more formal than 嫌悪 alone.
不正に対する嫌悪感を表明した。
He expressed his repugnance toward injustice.
Means 'unforgivable', often used to express strong moral repugnance.
あんな行為は絶対に許せない。
Such an act is absolutely repugnant.
私は嘘をつく人が大嫌いだ。
I have a deep repugnance for liars.
Means 'irrational aversion' or 'prejudice'. Implies a strong, often baseless repugnance.
彼は納豆を毛嫌いしている。
He has an irrational repugnance for natto.
A literary term for 'disgust' or 'abhorrence'. Rare in everyday speech.
彼は戦争に厭悪の情を抱いていた。
He harbored feelings of repugnance toward war.