How to say "appalling" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 大それただいそれたpre-noun adjectivalCovers 'appalling' only in the sense of outrageously audacious — shocking in its boldness or presumption rather than horrifying. It describes wild, inordinate ambitions, ideas, and similar things that overstep all bounds.
- 恐るべきおそるべきprenominal modifierCovers 'appalling' in its core sense of dreadful or horrifying — so terrible or frightening that it inspires fear. This is the word for shockingly bad or terrifying things.
Use 「恐るべき」 for the core sense of 'appalling' — dreadful, terrifying, or shockingly bad; use 「大それた」 only when it means outrageously audacious, as with wild ambitions or ideas.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 大それただいそれたoutrageous
- 恐るべきおそるべきterrible
- おぞましいappalling
- 酸鼻さんびappalling
- 惨さんappalling
- 凄惨せいさんghastly
- 見られたものではないみられたものではないnot a pretty sight
- 見られたものじゃないみられたものじゃないnot a pretty sight
- 凄まじいすさまじいappalling
See also
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