Translation guide
The English word 'gross' has several distinct meanings. This guide covers the most common uses for learners: expressing disgust, describing something crude or vulgar, referring to total amounts before deductions, and the unit of 144. It also touches on less common uses like 'gross negligence' and the verb 'to gross'.
Expressing that something is disgusting, gross, or revolting, often in casual speech.
The most common and versatile way to say something is gross or disgusting. Literally 'feels bad', used for things that are physically or emotionally repulsive.
その虫、気持ち悪い！
That bug is gross!
この食べ物、気持ち悪い匂いがする。
This food smells gross.
Slang abbreviation of 気持ち悪い. Very common among younger speakers, but can sound rough or childish.
うわ、キモい！
Eww, gross!
From 'grotesque'. Used specifically for gory, gruesome, or graphically disgusting things, like horror movies or injuries.
そのホラー映画、グロすぎて見られない。
That horror movie is too gross to watch.
A more formal or written way to say something is unpleasant or disgusting. Not typically used in casual conversation.
その光景は非常に不快だった。
The sight was extremely gross.
Describing behavior, language, or jokes that are crude, vulgar, or obscene.
Means vulgar, crude, or indecent. Used for language, jokes, or behavior that is socially inappropriate.
彼の冗談は下品すぎる。
His jokes are too gross.
そんな下品な言葉を使わないで。
Don't use such gross language.
Specifically means obscene or lewd. Used for sexually explicit content.
その映画には卑猥なシーンが多い。
That movie has a lot of gross scenes.
Slang that can mean harsh, intense, or gross in a crude way. Often used for shocking or over-the-top content.
Referring to the total income, weight, or amount before anything is taken away.
Prefix meaning 'gross' or 'total'. Used in compounds like 総収入 (gross income) or 総重量 (gross weight).
総収入はいくらですか？
What is the gross income?
Loanword from English, used in business contexts like 'gross profit' (グロスプロフィット) or 'gross margin'.
グロス利益を計算してください。
Please calculate the gross profit.
Total amount, sum total. Commonly used for prices or amounts.
Referring to the quantity of 144 items, a dozen dozen.
The unit 'gross' is directly borrowed into Japanese as グロス. Used in specific industries like manufacturing or stationery.
鉛筆を1グロス注文した。
I ordered a gross of pencils.
In everyday conversation, simply saying the number is clearer. グロス is not widely understood outside specific contexts.
ボタンを144個買った。
I bought a gross of buttons.
Referring to a severe lack of care that shows reckless disregard, often in legal contexts.
The standard legal term for 'gross negligence'. 重大 means serious, 過失 means negligence.
彼は重大な過失で訴えられた。
He was sued for gross negligence.
Abbreviated form of 重大な過失, used in legal documents.
重過失が認められた。
Gross negligence was found.
Referring to the total revenue generated by a movie, business, etc., before expenses.
Literally 'to obtain gross income'. Used for reporting earnings.
その映画は全世界で10億ドルの総収入を得た。
The movie grossed 1 billion dollars worldwide.
Specifically for movies or performances: 'to earn box office revenue'. 興行収入 means box office gross.
その映画は興行収入を100億円上げた。
The movie grossed 10 billion yen at the box office.
The loanword グロス only means the unit (144) or gross income. It is never used to mean 'disgusting'. Use 気持ち悪い or キモい instead.
気持ち悪い is the standard word for 'gross/disgusting'. キモい is a slangy abbreviation, often used by younger people. グロい is specifically for gory or grotesque things, not general disgust.
That video was so gross I laughed.
総額で100万円になります。
The gross amount is 1 million yen.