Ways to say it
| Russian | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| проти́вный | protívnyj |
| ме́рзкий | mérzkij |
| отврати́тельный | otvratítelʹnyj |
| омерзи́тельный | omerzítelʹnyj |
| га́дкий | gádkij |
These terms are used to describe things that are dirty, filthy or highly unpleasant. While проти́вный covers general unpleasantness, га́дкий is often used to describe someone with a nasty character or something morally vile. омерзи́тельный is used for things that are truly loathsome or abominable.
What does it mean word for word?
The word отврати́тельный is derived from the verb отвраща́ть (to turn away), literally implying something that makes you want to turn away in disgust.
Which one should you use?
The Russian terms vary significantly in strength. проти́вный is a milder term used for things that are simply unpleasant or disagreeable to the senses, such as an annoying person or a bad smell. отврати́тельный is a stronger term that implies a sense of physical or moral disgust. омерзи́тельный is the most intense of the group, reserved for things that are truly abominable.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term омерзи́тельный is specifically used to describe things that are loathsome or abominable.
How do you pronounce it?
protívnyj
When do people say it?
When expressing physical disgust, Russians may use the informal exclamation Фу, which is similar to the English 'ew'.
Did you know?
- The word ме́рзкий for 'nasty' shares a root with the verb мёрзнуть, which means 'to freeze'. Historically, the feeling of disgust was linked to the shivering or shrinking sensation caused by extreme cold.
- The adjective га́дкий is rooted in the word гад, which refers to a crawling reptile or a lowly creature. This connects the feeling of something 'nasty' to the visceral physical repulsion one feels toward snakes or insects.
- While проти́вный means 'nasty' or 'unpleasant', its root против means 'against'. Literally, it describes something that goes 'against' a person's senses or desires.
Examples in context
- Дорогой коллега, пожалуйста, избегайте неприятных шуток на совещании.Dear colleague, please avoid making nasty jokes during the meeting.
- Этот фильм был просто отвратительным!That movie was simply disgusting!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “nasty” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
