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.
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.
昨日の天気はひどかった。
Yesterday's weather was terrible.
彼の態度はひどい。
His attitude is 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.
Expressing that you feel very bad physically or emotionally.
Literally 'feeling bad'. Used for feeling physically unwell or emotionally upset.
気分が悪いので、休みます。
I feel terrible, so I'll rest.
Saying someone is very bad at a skill or activity.
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.
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'.
この映画、最悪だった。
This movie was terrible.
最悪の一日だ。
It's been a terrible day.
大変なことになった。
Something terrible has happened.
それは大変ですね。
That's terrible (I'm sorry to hear that).
That's a terrible story (cruel).
Also used for severe pain, terrible damage, or intense negative experiences.
ひどい痛みがある。
I have terrible pain.
台風でひどい被害が出た。
The typhoon caused terrible damage.
Means 'violent', 'intense', or 'severe'. Used for terrible storms, pain, competition, etc.
激しい痛みで眠れない。
I can't sleep because of the terrible pain.
激しい嵐だった。
It was a terrible storm.
Means 'tremendous' or 'terrific', but often used negatively for terrible intensity. Very colloquial.
ものすごい音がした。
There was a terrible noise.
Means 'feeling terrible' or 'the worst feeling'. Casual and emphatic.
二日酔いで最悪の気分だ。
I feel terrible from a hangover.
Can be used with 気分 (feeling) to mean 'terrible feeling'.
ひどい気分だ。
I feel terrible.
Means 'not good at' or 'weak at', often implying a personal dislike or difficulty. Softer than 下手.
数学が苦手です。
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.
あいつは本当に下手くそだ。
He's really terrible (at it).
彼はひどい人だ。
He's a terrible person.
Means 'the lowest', 'scum', or 'terrible person'. Very strong insult.
Strong insult; use carefully.
あんな最低な奴は見たことがない。
I've never seen such a terrible guy.