grim
[ɡ̊ʁɛmˀ]
The Danish word for ugly is grim.
grim is the most common and straightforward term used to describe something that is displeasing to the eye or not aesthetically pleasing. Note that grim is a false friend to the English word 'grim'. While the English word implies something serious or forbidding, the Danish word focuses on being visually unappealing.
Meaning: displeasing to the eye, not aesthetically pleasing (adj)
Which one should you use?
While grim is the standard adjective for aesthetic ugliness, you might use other terms depending on the context. For example, the noun form for 'ugliness' is grimhed and the noun øjebæ can be used to refer to an 'ugly thing'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective changes its ending based on the noun it describes. Use the neuter form grimt when describing a neuter noun, such as et barn (a child). Use the plural or common gender form grimme when describing plural nouns or nouns in the common gender.
Did you know?
- The word 'grim' in Old Danish actually meant 'cruel', showing how the concept evolved from a character trait to a visual quality.
- While grim usually means 'ugly', it can be used in the phrase grimme sig, which means to make a face or grimace.
- In Danish, the word grimt is often used to describe bad weather or unpleasant behavior, not just visual aesthetics.
Examples in context
- Det er for grimt.It's too ugly.This sentence shows how to use the neuter form grimt.Tatoeba #8980254 by danepo, translation #2249338 by CK
- Sikke en grim kat!What an ugly cat.This sentence uses the adjective to describe a cat.Tatoeba #5588855 by danepo, translation #1570765 by fanty
- Det er et grimt flag.It's an ugly flag.This sentence uses the adjective to describe a flag.Tatoeba #7261134 by danepo, translation #6995721 by mailohilohi
- Hendes kjole er virkelig grim.Her dress is really ugly.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Freja and Noah are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- FrejaHvad synes du om det her billede?What do you think of this picture?
- NoahJeg synes, det er virkelig grimt.I think it is really ugly.
- FrejaHvorfor mener du det, Noah?Why do you think that, Noah?
- NoahFarverne er bare for grimme.The colors are just too ugly.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ugly” translations and entries grim, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
