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.
この虫、気持ち悪い。
This bug is repulsive.
腐った牛乳の匂いが気持ち悪い。
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.
その音は非常に不快だ。
That sound is extremely repulsive.
Loanword from English 'grotesque'. Used for something visually repulsive in a distorted, ugly, or horror-like way.
その絵はグロテスクなイメージでいっぱいだ。
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.
彼の差別的な発言に嫌悪感を抱いた。
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.
あいつの態度には本当にむかつく。
His attitude is really repulsive.
Literally 'to induce nausea'. A very strong expression for something so repulsive it makes you feel sick, often used for moral disgust.
そのニュースは吐き気を催すほどだ。
The news is so repulsive it makes me sick.
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.
その傷跡は醜い。
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.
その映画、グロすぎて見れない。
That movie is too repulsive to watch.
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.
ゴキブリは気持ち悪い。
Cockroaches are repulsive.
彼の行動に嫌悪感を覚える。
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).
おぞましい光景だった。
It was a repulsive sight.