Translation guide
The feeling of strong dislike or disgust that makes you want to avoid something or someone. In Japanese, this is expressed through nouns, adjectives, and verbs that convey aversion, disgust, or a physical/emotional pushing away.
Expressing a visceral feeling of disgust or strong dislike towards something
A formal noun meaning 'disgust' or 'aversion'. Often used in written or serious contexts.
彼の行動に嫌悪を感じた。
I felt repulsion at his behavior.
A common noun meaning 'feeling of disgust'. Slightly more everyday than 嫌悪 alone.
その匂いに嫌悪感を覚えた。
I felt a sense of repulsion at the smell.
Means 'antipathy' or 'hostile feeling'. Used when repulsion is directed at a person or idea.
彼の傲慢な態度に反感を持った。
I felt repulsion toward his arrogant attitude.
An idiomatic phrase meaning 'to be disgusted' or 'to make one's skin crawl'. Literally 'bugs' saliva runs', conveying visceral repulsion.
あの男の顔を見ると虫唾が走る。
Just seeing that man's face fills me with repulsion.
Means 'disgust' or 'weariness'. Often used in the phrase 嫌気がさす (to be disgusted/turned off).
彼の無責任さに嫌気がさした。
I was repulsed by his irresponsibility.
Describing a scientific or physical force that drives things apart
Means 'repulsion' in physics (e.g., magnetic repulsion) or 'resistance' in social contexts.
磁石の同極は反発し合う。
Like poles of magnets exhibit repulsion.
A technical term for 'repulsive force' in physics. Rare in everyday language.
Expressing a strong desire to avoid or reject something instinctively
Literally 'rejection reaction', used for both physical (transplant rejection) and emotional repulsion.
彼の提案に拒絶反応を示した。
I showed repulsion toward his proposal.
Means 'physiologically cannot accept', used when something is instinctively repulsive.
あの食べ物は生理的に受け付けない。
I have an instinctive repulsion to that food.
嫌悪 (けんお) is a general disgust or revulsion, often toward things or actions. 反感 (はんかん) is more about antipathy toward a person or their attitude, implying a relational conflict.
暴力に嫌悪を覚える。
I feel repulsion toward violence.
彼の言い方に反感を持った。
I felt repulsion at his way of speaking.
English 'repulsion' is often used hyperbolically. In Japanese, directly translating as 反発 (repulsion) may sound physical or scientific. Use 嫌悪感 or idiomatic phrases for emotional contexts.
分子間には斥力が働く。
Repulsive forces act between molecules.