憎しみ
nikushimi[ɲ̟ikɯ̟̊ɕimʲi]
The English word 'hatred' is translated into Japanese as 憎しみ (nikushimi). Wiktionary also lists 憎悪 (zōo) and 嫌悪 (ken'o).
Meaning: strong aversion (noun)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 憎しみ | nikushimi | [ɲ̟ikɯ̟̊ɕimʲi] (narrow) |
| 憎悪 | zōo | [d͡zo̞ːo̞] (narrow) |
| 嫌悪 | ken'o | [kẽ̞ɰ̃o̞] (narrow) |
| 厭悪 | en'o | [ẽ̞ɰ̃o̞] (narrow) |
| 嫌厭 | ken'en | [kẽ̞ɰ̃ẽ̞ɴ] (narrow) |
The term refers to a strong aversion.
Which one should you use?
憎しみ is the most common, everyday way to express hatred or resentment. In contrast, 憎悪 is a more formal, literary and intense term for hatred compared to 憎しみ. 嫌悪 focuses more on a feeling of disgust or strong dislike rather than pure malice. Other specialized forms include 厭悪 and 嫌厭.
How does it change in a sentence?
Japanese nouns like 憎しみ do not change form for plurality. The context determines if it is singular or plural.
How do you pronounce it?
nikushimi
Did you know?
- Japanese has a specific concept called 愛憎, which combines the characters for 'love' and 'hatred' to describe a complex, volatile relationship where both emotions coexist.
- In Japanese culture, expressions of 憎しみ are often suppressed in public to maintain 和 or 'harmony', making the overt use of these words socially explosive.
- While 'hatred' in English is often a single emotion, Japanese speakers may use the term 嫌厭 to describe a state of being 'tired of' or 'weary' of something, blending dislike with exhaustion.
Examples in context
- 彼は先生に対して激しい憎悪を抱いていた。He had an intense hatred of his teacher.This sentence shows how to use 憎悪 to describe an intense hatred toward a person.Tatoeba #103043 by KK_kaku_, translation #300650 by CM
- 憎悪が高まるHatred is mountingThis sentence demonstrates the use of 憎悪 to describe mounting hatred.
- 嫌悪の念を抑えることができなかった。I couldn't suppress my hatred.This sentence illustrates the use of 嫌悪 when discussing a feeling of hatred or aversion that cannot be suppressed.
- 私は彼を憎悪しています。I hate him.
- あの人が大嫌いだ。I really hate that person.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two siblings are discussing a villain in a movie they just watched.
- 陽葵 Himariあの悪役には、ずっと憎しみを感じていたよ。Ano akuyaku ni wa, zutto nikushimi o kanjite ita yo.I have felt hatred toward that villain for a long time.
- 陽太 Yota確かに、彼の行動は許せないよね。Tashika ni, kare no kōdō wa yurusenai yo ne.Certainly, his actions are unforgivable.
- 陽葵 Himari復讐心さえ湧いてくるような、強い憎しみだよ。Fukushūshin sae waite kuru yōna, tsuyoi nikushimi da yo.It is a strong hatred that even makes a desire for revenge arise.
- 陽太 Yota陽葵の言う通り、本当にひどいキャラクターだね。Himari no iu tōri, hontō ni hidoi kyarakutā da ne.Just as you say, Himari, he is a truly terrible character.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hatred” translations and entries 憎しみ, 憎悪, 嫌悪, 厭悪, 嫌厭, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
