Translation guide
The English word 'abominable' expresses strong moral disgust or extreme unpleasantness. In Japanese, the best equivalent depends on whether you mean morally detestable, shockingly bad, or just very unpleasant.
Expressing strong moral condemnation, as in 'an abominable crime'.
Literally 'should be hated'. Used for actions or people that deserve hatred. Strong but natural in formal and written contexts.
それは憎むべき犯罪だ。
That is an abominable crime.
Means 'unforgivable'. Emphasizes that the act cannot be forgiven. Common in speech and writing.
彼の行為は許しがたい。
His actions are abominable.
A four-character compound meaning 'heinous and inhuman'. Very strong, used for the worst crimes. Literary or formal.
極悪非道な行為
an abominable act
Describing something very unpleasant, like terrible weather or awful conditions.
The most common word for 'terrible' or 'awful'. Covers many situations from weather to service. Casual to neutral.
今日はひどい天気だ。
The weather is abominable today.
Means 'the worst'. Very common in casual speech. Can sound emphatic.
Means 'disgusting' or 'revolting'. Stronger than ひどい, often for something visually or morally repulsive. Not for mild unpleasantness.
Criticizing something as extremely poor, like an abominable performance or service.
Again, ひどい is the go-to word for 'terrible' in quality. Works for food, service, work, etc.
彼の演技はひどかった。
His performance was abominable.
Means 'the lowest' or 'the worst'. Stronger than ひどい, often used in casual complaints.
Direct translations like '忌まわしい' (imawashii) exist but are rare and literary. For everyday use, choose ひどい or 憎むべき depending on context.
忌まわしい事件
an abominable incident (literary)
ひどい is for general unpleasantness (weather, quality). 憎むべき is for moral condemnation (crimes, behavior). Don't use 憎むべき for bad weather.
ひどい天気 (○) / 憎むべき天気 (✕)
abominable weather (natural / unnatural)
この料理は最悪だ。
This food is abominable.
おぞましい光景だった。
It was an abominable sight.
あの店のサービスは最低だ。
The service at that store is abominable.