キモい
kimoi
In Japanese, gross is said as キモい (kimoi).
キモい is used to describe both physical things that are disgusting and people whose behavior or personality is perceived as creepy or unsettling. You may also encounter the slang portmanteau キモかわ to describe something that is simultaneously gross and cute.
Meaning: causing disgust (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
キモい is a contraction of the adjective kimochi warui (気持ち悪い), which literally means feeling bad.
Which one should you use?
While キモい is a common colloquialism, you can also use いやな to mean gross. The term グロい is another informal way to express that something is gross.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
キモい is a colloquial contraction and is more informal than the full phrase kimochi warui.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Tokyo, people say きっしょい to mean gross.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an i-adjective, キモい can be conjugated into the past tense キモかった to mean was gross.
How do you pronounce it?
kimoi
Did you know?
- The slang キモかわ reflects a cultural fascination with 'ugly-cute' aesthetics, where a creature is loved specifically because it is slightly repulsive.
- The concept of 'feeling bad' in kimochi warui can refer to a physical sensation of nausea just as easily as it can refer to something being 'gross'.
- While キモい is often used for disgust, the related term グロい specifically refers to 'grotesque' imagery, such as blood or gore in horror movies.
Examples in context
- キモいわー。That's gross.This sentence demonstrates a casual way to express that something is gross using キモい.Tatoeba #3597364 by arnab, translation #1462021 by Spamster
- あの先生、セクハラしてきてマジキモい。That teacher sexually harassed me. He's totally gross.This sentence uses キモい to describe a person whose behavior is perceived as gross.Tatoeba #3457926 by gillux, translation #7558197 by koyakun
- その映画、グロいよ！That movie is gross!
- このニュース聞いた？うわぁ、マジでキモい！Did you hear this news? Ewww, it's seriously gross!
- その虫、マジでキモい。Sono mushi, maji de kimoi.That bug is seriously gross.
Example conversation
Yota and Himari are looking at a weird creature in a pond.
- 陽太 Yota見て、あそこに変な生き物がいるよ。Mite, asoko ni hen na ikimono ga iru yo.Look, there is a strange creature over there.
- 陽葵 Himariうわ、なんかキモい！Uwa, nanka kimoi!Eww, that's kind of gross!
- 陽太 Yota触ってみる？Sawatte miru?Do you want to try touching it?
- 陽葵 Himari絶対無理！Zettai muri!No way!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
