Japanese word

憎らしい

Pronunciation

Romajinikurashii

Meaning

  • i-adjectivehateful

Example

あの人の態度が憎らしいです。a no hito no tai do ga niku ra shi i de su

That person's attitude is hateful.

Illustration for 憎らしい (hateful)

More examples

あの子の勝ち誇った笑い方が憎らしいです。a no ko no ka chi hoko tta wara i kata ga niku ra shi i de su

That child's triumphant laugh is hateful.

Core concept

Describes a person or thing whose behavior or nature provokes such strong dislike that it feels hard to tolerate.

Common phrases

  • 憎らしい目つきniku ra shi i me tsu ki

    hateful look

  • 憎らしい声niku ra shi i koe

    hateful voice

  • 憎らしい笑顔niku ra shi i e gao

    hateful smile

Similar words

憎いnikui: Describes a person or thing that inspires deep dislike or hatred.
忌々しいimaimashii: Describes a person or thing that causes intense irritation and strong dislike.

Definition in Japanese

他人に強い嫌悪や反感を抱かせ、好ましくないと感じさせるさま。ta nin ni tsuyo i ken o ya han kan o ida ka se kono ma shi ku na i to kan ji sa se ru sa ma

Word origin

憎らしい (nikurashii) is a native Japanese formation from 憎い (nikui, "hateful") and らしい (rashii, "seeming or characteristic"), marking something as strongly hateful in quality.

Usage tips

  • The English word hateful often states a judgment, whereas 憎らしい (nikurashii) can focus on the irritating behavior that produces the dislike.

Opposites

  • 愛らしいairashiilovablei-adjective

Related words

  • 憎らしさnikurashisahatefulnessnoun

Word lists with this word