ひどい
hidoi
The English phrase "awful" can be translated into Japanese as ひどい (hidoi).
ひどい is used to describe something that is very bad. ひどい is used for both bad quality and excessive intensity (e.g., 'terrible/excessive amount').
Meaning: very bad (adj)
Which one should you use?
While ひどい is a general term for awful or terrible, other words offer different nuances. 最悪 literally translates to "the worst" and is commonly used in informal language to describe something terrible, unpleasant or awful. めちゃくちゃ means "messed up" or "chaotic" but can also be used to describe something that is terrible or awful. For a much stronger, more vivid nuance of "awful" or "disgusting," the formal word おぞましい is used.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that something was awful in the past tense, use ひどかった.
How do you pronounce it?
hidoi
Did you know?
- The word ひどい originates from the terms for 'non-way' or 'inhuman', which described someone who had strayed from the proper path of human morality.
- When someone says ひどいな with a soft tone, it can be a playful way of saying 'you're mean' during a flirtatious or friendly argument.
- In casual conversation, 最悪 is often used as a standalone exclamation to mean 'this is the worst' when something mildly inconvenient happens, like missing a train.
Examples in context
- ひどい天気！What awful weather!This sentence is useful for expressing a reaction to bad weather using ひどい.Tatoeba #2456862 by tommy_san, translation #1475903 by niceguydave
- 僕はテストでひどい間違いをした。I made an awful mistake in the test.This sentence shows how to describe an error using ひどい.Tatoeba #82052 by bunbuku, translation #321663 by sundown
- トムはひどい運転手だね。Tom is an awful driver.This sentence demonstrates how to use ひどい to describe a person's skill or character.Tatoeba #13185107 by atitarev, translation #8069770 by CK
- この料理はひどいです。This dish is awful.
- その事故現場はおぞましい光景でした。The accident scene was an awful sight.
- その映画、ひどかったな。That movie was awful.
- あの店のサービスはめちゃくちゃ悪い。The service at that store is awful.
- 昨日の試合は最悪だった。Yesterday's match was awful.
- とてもひどいVery awful or extremely awful
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ひどい, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
