How to say "hideous" in Japanese

• 醜悪しゅうあくCommon
  na-adjective, nounCovers 'hideous' in its plainest sense: very ugly or unsightly to look at. A common word, and the natural choice for an ugly face, building, or scene; it can also describe something mean.
  市しのこの地区ちくの建物たてものは皆みな醜悪しゅうあくだ。↗

  The architecture in this part of the city is ugly.
• 醜怪しゅうかい
  na-adjective, nounFor 'hideous' as monstrously ugly, grotesquely bizarre. A formal or literary term, and less common, so you will seldom need it; it suits written descriptions of monsters or grotesque figures.
• おぞましい
  i-adjectiveFor 'hideous' that appalls or horrifies: it stresses the dread and revulsion something inspires rather than ugliness alone. A less common word, usually written in kana; fits a hideous crime or a horrifying sight.
• 気味が悪いきみがわるい
  expression, i-adjectiveReally means 'creepy' or 'giving one the creeps': it describes the uneasy feeling something causes, not ugliness itself. Seldom the word you want for plain 'hideous', unless the ugly thing genuinely unsettles you.
• 気味の悪いきみのわるい
  expression, i-adjectiveMeans exactly the same as 気味が悪い — creepy, uneasy, giving one the creeps — the difference being one of form, not meaning. Like it, this is seldom the word for plain 'hideous'.

Choose 醜悪 for plain ugliness, 醜怪 for grotesque or bizarre ugliness in formal or literary style, 「おぞましい」 for what appalls or inspires dread, and 「気味が悪い」/「気味の悪い」 for the creepy feeling something gives.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 醜悪しゅうあくugly
• 醜怪しゅうかいmonstrously ugly
• おぞましいappalling
• 気味が悪いきみがわるいcreepy (feeling)
• 気味の悪いきみのわるいcreepy (feeling)