Japanese word

ひどい

Pronunciation

Romajihidoi

Meaning

  • i-adjectiveterrible

Example

この雨はひどいです。ko no ame wa hi do i de su

This rain is terrible.

Illustration for ひどい (terrible)

More examples

今日は雨がひどいです。kyō wa ame ga hi do i de su

The rain is terrible today.

昨日はひどい目に遭いました。kinō wa hi do i me ni a i ma shi ta

I had a terrible experience yesterday.

Core concept

It marks something as far beyond an acceptable level, whether the problem is poor quality, harsh conditions, or cruel treatment.

Common phrases

  • ひどい雨hi do i ame

    terrible rain

  • ひどい目に遭うhi do i me ni a u

    have a terrible experience

Similar words

悪いwarui: Describes something as not good or satisfactory and often as harmful.
厳しいkibishii: Describes conditions that are harsh, demanding, or difficult to meet.
つらいtsurai: Describes a painful situation or feeling that is difficult to bear.
きついkitsui: Describes a situation or condition as difficult, harsh, or demanding.

Definition in Japanese

物事の程度や状態が非常に悪いさま。また、人の扱いなどがむごいさま。mono goto no tei do ya jō tai ga hi jō ni waru i sa ma ma ta hito no atsuka i na do ga mu go i sa ma

Word origin

ひどい (hidoi) is the modern i-adjective form of the older Japanese adjective ひどし (hidoshi), meaning "severe" or "cruel".

Usage tips

  • The polite phrase ひどいです (hidoi desu) places です (desu) after the adjective, making it a useful beginner pattern for saying that something is terrible.

Other meanings

  • crueli-adjective
  • severei-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • ひどさhidosaseveritynoun

Word lists with this word