Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| ekelhaft | /ˈʔeːkl̩haft/ /ˈʔeːkəlhaft/ |
| eklig | /ˈeːklɪç/ /ˈeːklɪk/ |
| grauslich | /ˈɡ̥ʁaʊ̯slɪç/ |
| abstoßend | /ˈapˌʃtoːsn̩t/ |
| ekelerregend | /ˈeːkl̩ʔɛɐ̯ˌʁeːɡənt/ |
These terms are used to describe things that are repulsive, distasteful. While some words focus on physical nausea, others are used to describe things that are morally or aesthetically off-putting.
What does it mean word for word?
The word ekelhaft is composed of Ekel (disgust) and the suffix -haft (having the quality of).
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the context of the disgust. eklig is the colloquial way to say something is gross or yucky in everyday conversation. abstoßend is used to describe something that is repulsive or off-putting in a moral or aesthetic sense. ekelerregend is a more descriptive or clinical term meaning something that triggers disgust. Finally, grauslich is a variant specifically used in certain regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
grauslich is a common regional variant used in Austria and Southern Germany to express disgust or unpleasantness.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈʔeːkl̩haft/
When do people say it?
When experiencing immediate disgust, German speakers may use the informal exclamations Igitt or Bäh.
Did you know?
- While ekelhaft is the standard adjective, the noun der Ekel can also be used in German to describe a 'disgusting person' or a 'scoundrel'.
- abstoßend literally describes a physical force of pushing away, which is why it is used for moral or aesthetic repulsion.
- In Southern Germany and Austria, grauslich can be used to describe something that is not just disgusting but also frightening or horrific.
Examples in context
- Sei nicht so eklig!Don't be so disgusting.This sentence shows how to use eklig in an imperative to tell someone not to be gross.Tatoeba #8074778 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #4757704 by garborg
- Seien Sie nicht ekelhaft.Don't be disgusting.This sentence uses the formal address with ekelhaft to tell someone not to be disgusting.Tatoeba #7354624 by Yorwba, translation #1860517 by CK
- Ich weiß, daß Tom eklig ist.I know Tom is disgusting.This sentence demonstrates the use of eklig to describe a person's character or state.Tatoeba #13555224 by Waldelfe, translation #6838704 by CK
- 23 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are looking at a moldy piece of fruit in the kitchen.
- LukasSchau dir diesen Schimmel an, Julia.Look at this mold, Julia.
- JuliaOh nein, das ist ekelhaft!Oh no, that is disgusting!
- LukasIch finde es wirklich ekelhaft.I find it truly disgusting.
- JuliaWir müssen das sofort wegwerfen.We must throw that away immediately.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “disgusting” translations and entries ekelhaft, eklig, grauslich, abstoßend, ekelerregend, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
