Japanese word

憎悪

Pronunciation

Romajizōo

Meaning

  • nounhatred

Example

戦争への憎悪が消えません。sen sō e no zō o ga ki e ma se n

My hatred of war will not go away.

Illustration for 憎悪 (hatred)

More examples

彼女は長年抱いていた憎悪を、少しずつ手放しています。kano jo wa naga nen ida i te i ta zō o o suko shi zu tsu te bana shi te i ma su

She is slowly letting go of the hatred she has held for many years.

Core concept

Centers on an intense and lasting rejection of someone or something, rather than a passing dislike.

Common phrases

  • 憎悪を募らせるzō o o tsuno ra se ru

    deepen one's hatred

  • 憎悪を抱くzō o o ida ku

    harbor hatred

  • 深い憎悪fuka i zō o

    deep hatred

Similar words

憎しみnikushimi: A powerful and lasting feeling of hatred toward someone or something.
嫌悪keno: A strong rejection of someone or something because of dislike or disgust.
敵意tekii: A feeling or expression of hostility toward another person or group.
恨みurami: A lasting resentment caused by harm or unfair treatment.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に強い嫌悪や敵意を向ける感情。hito ya mono goto ni tsuyo i ken o ya teki i o mu ke ru kan jō

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese noun 憎悪 (zōo, "hatred") combines 憎 (zō, "hate") and 悪 (o, "badness") to express an intense negative feeling.

Usage tips

  • In everyday Japanese, 憎悪 (zōo) sounds formal and is mainly used in serious speech or writing about intense hostility.

Other meanings

  • loathingnoun
  • abhorrencenoun
  • detestationnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • 憎悪するzōosuruhateverb
  • 憎悪感zōokanfeeling of hatrednoun

Word lists with this word