How to say "hateful" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 憎いにくいi-adjectiveHateful as detestable or abominable, and also vexing: hatred or resentment toward someone who is your enemy or rival, or irritation at something that keeps working against you.
- 憎らしいにくらしいi-adjectiveAlso renders hateful as detestable, with the added coloring of odious or horrible: it describes something as stirring up loathing or revulsion in you, as one's reaction to an odious person's behavior.
Both words translate hateful as detestable; pick 「憎い」 when hatred shades into vexation at something that thwarts or irritates you, and 「憎らしい」 when you want to stress the loathing or revulsion something provokes.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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