Translation guide
The English word "terrible" can express very bad quality, severity, strong dislike, or feeling unwell. Japanese uses different words depending on the nuance. This guide covers the most common and natural ways to express these meanings.
That's terrible!
General expression of shock or sympathy.
I feel terrible.
For physical or emotional discomfort.
Expressing that something is of very poor quality, a situation is awful, or an experience was extremely unpleasant.
The most common and versatile word for 'terrible' in the sense of very bad, awful, or harsh. Can describe weather, treatment, quality, pain, etc.
Yesterday's weather was terrible.
Literally 'the worst'. Very common in casual speech to mean 'terrible' or 'the worst'. Stronger than ひどい.
Means 'terrible' in the sense of a serious, difficult, or awful situation. Often used for disasters, hardships, or big problems.
Means 'cruel' or 'brutal', often used for terrible acts of cruelty. Stronger and more literary than ひどい.
Describing something that is extremely intense in a negative way, such as severe pain, heavy damage, or a strong shock.
Also used for severe pain, terrible damage, or intense negative experiences.
Expressing that you feel very bad physically or emotionally.
Literally 'feeling bad'. Used for feeling physically unwell or emotionally upset.
Saying someone is very bad at a skill or activity.
Standard way to say 'terrible at ~'. 下手 means unskillful.
Describing a person as awful, mean, or unpleasant.
Can describe a person's actions or character as terrible, mean, or harsh.
ひどい is the most general and can be used in most situations. 最悪 is stronger and more casual, often used as an exclamation. 大変 is more formal and often used for serious situations or to express sympathy.
Terrible rain.
His attitude is terrible.
この映画、最悪だった。
This movie was terrible.
It's been a terrible day.
大変なことになった。
Something terrible has happened.
That's terrible (I'm sorry to hear that).
それは酷い話だ。
That's a terrible story (cruel).
I have terrible pain.
The typhoon caused terrible damage.
Means 'violent', 'intense', or 'severe'. Used for terrible storms, pain, competition, etc.
I can't sleep because of the terrible pain.
It was a terrible storm.
Means 'tremendous' or 'terrific', but often used negatively for terrible intensity. Very colloquial.
There was a terrible noise.
I feel terrible, so I'll rest.
Means 'feeling terrible' or 'the worst feeling'. Casual and emphatic.
I feel terrible from a hangover.
Can be used with 気分 (feeling) to mean 'terrible feeling'.
I feel terrible.
I'm terrible at singing.
He's a terrible driver.
Means 'not good at' or 'weak at', often implying a personal dislike or difficulty. Softer than 下手.
I'm terrible at math.
Very casual and rude way to say 'terrible' at something. Use with caution.
Can be offensive; avoid in polite conversation.
He's really terrible (at it).
He's a terrible person.
Means 'the lowest', 'scum', or 'terrible person'. Very strong insult.
Strong insult; use carefully.
I've never seen such a terrible guy.
Means 'disagreeable', 'unpleasant', or 'nasty'. Often used for terrible people or experiences.
He's a terrible guy (unpleasant).
Terrible! I forgot my wallet.
It was a terrible accident.
Do not use テリブル (teriburu) in Japanese; it is not a natural word. Also, avoid directly translating 'terrible' as 恐ろしい (osoroshii, 'frightening') unless you mean 'scary' or 'dreadful'.