Translation guide
Describes something that causes strong dislike or disgust. Japanese has several words for 'repulsive' depending on whether the feeling is physical disgust, moral revulsion, or emotional aversion. The most common and versatile word is 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui), which covers both physical and emotional repulsion.
Expressing that something looks, smells, tastes, or feels physically repulsive, like rotten food, bugs, or slime.
The most common and natural way to say something is gross or repulsive. Used for physical disgust (e.g., seeing a bug, smelling something bad) and also for feeling sick.
This bug is repulsive.
The smell of spoiled milk is repulsive.
A more formal word for 'unpleasant' or 'discomforting'. Often used for sensory repulsion like bad smells, sounds, or textures.
That sound is extremely repulsive.
Loanword from English 'grotesque'. Used for something visually repulsive in a distorted, ugly, or horror-like way.
The painting is full of repulsive imagery.
Describing a person, action, or attitude that is morally disgusting, contemptible, or abhorrent.
Literally 'to harbor a feeling of disgust'. A strong, formal way to say you find someone's behavior repulsive.
I felt repulsed by his discriminatory remarks.
Casual verb meaning to be disgusted or pissed off. Often used for irritation mixed with repulsion at someone's actions.
Literally 'to induce nausea'. A very strong expression for something so repulsive it makes you feel sick, often used for moral disgust.
Focusing on visual repulsiveness, like an ugly face, a disgusting wound, or a hideous creature.
Means 'ugly' or 'unsightly'. Can be used for physical appearance or morally ugly behavior.
The scar is repulsive.
A strong, emotive word for something hideous, ghastly, or repulsive, often used for horrific sights.
Slang abbreviation of 'grotesque'. Used for gory, disgusting visuals.
気持ち悪い is the everyday word for 'gross' or 'repulsive' and can be used for both physical and emotional disgust. 不快 is more formal and often refers to sensory unpleasantness. 嫌悪感 is a strong, formal noun for moral or deep-seated disgust.
Cockroaches are repulsive.
I feel repulsion at his behavior.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches all uses of 'repulsive'. Using a dictionary translation like 反感を買う (to incur antipathy) or 反発する (to repel) will often sound unnatural. Choose the expression based on the type of repulsion (physical, moral, visual).
あいつの態度には本当にむかつく。
His attitude is really repulsive.
The news is so repulsive it makes me sick.
It was a repulsive sight.
That movie is too repulsive to watch.