ekelhaft

§ What ekelhaft means

German Word

ekelhaft

Part of Speech

Adjective

CEFR Level

B1

English Definition

disgusting, repulsive

The German word "ekelhaft" is an adjective you'll hear and use a lot if you want to express strong negative feelings about something. It's not just a little bad; it means something is truly disgusting or repulsive. Think of things that make your stomach turn, or that you'd want to avoid completely. That's when you use "ekelhaft."

You can use "ekelhaft" to describe:

• Bad food or drink
• Unpleasant smells
• Gross sights
• People's behavior or attitudes
• Unsanitary conditions

It's a strong word, so save it for situations where something genuinely offends your senses or morals. For example, if food has gone bad and smells terrible, you'd say it's "ekelhaft." If someone is behaving in a truly despicable way, their behavior could be described as "ekelhaft."

§ Examples of ekelhaft in use

Translation hint

The food was disgusting, I couldn't eat it.

Translation hint

The smell in the subway was really repulsive.

Translation hint

I find his behavior absolutely disgusting.

Translation hint

The toilet was so repulsive that I didn't want to use it.

§ How to use it correctly

As an adjective, "ekelhaft" will modify nouns. Remember that German adjectives often change their endings based on the case, gender, and number of the noun they describe. However, in many common uses, especially when it follows a form of "sein" (to be), it often stays in its base form. For example, "Das ist ekelhaft" (That is disgusting).

You can also use it to intensify other negative statements. For instance, instead of just saying something is bad, adding "ekelhaft" makes it clear you feel a strong revulsion. Consider these common ways to use it:

• Als Adjektiv vor einem Nomen (as an adjective before a noun): "Der ekelhafte Geruch" (the disgusting smell). Here, it takes the appropriate adjective ending.
• Als Prädikativ (as a predicate adjective): "Das ist ekelhaft" (That is disgusting). This is a very common and straightforward use.
• In Verbindung mit Verben des Empfindens (in connection with verbs of feeling): "Ich finde es ekelhaft" (I find it disgusting).

Don't be afraid to use "ekelhaft" when you really want to convey strong disgust. Germans use it quite naturally in everyday conversation when something truly bothers them. It's a useful word to have in your vocabulary for expressing genuine aversion.

§ What 'ekelhaft' Means

German Word

ekelhaft (adjective)

English Definition

disgusting, repulsive

You want to talk about something that makes you feel really sick or repulsed? Then 'ekelhaft' is the word you need. It's a strong word, so use it when something truly offends your senses, whether it's a smell, a taste, a sight, or even a behavior.

§ How to Use 'ekelhaft' in a Sentence

'Ekelhaft' is an adjective, which means it describes a noun. Like most German adjectives, it will change its ending depending on the noun it's describing (gender, case, and number). Don't worry too much about all the endings at B1 level, but be aware that they exist. Often, you'll see it used with 'sein' (to be).

This translates to: The smell is disgusting.

This means: The food tastes disgusting.

Meaning: This spider is repulsive.

§ 'Ekelhaft' with Adjective Endings

When 'ekelhaft' comes before a noun, its ending will change. Here are a few common examples:

• Nominative Masculine: ein ekelhafter Geruch (a disgusting smell)
• Nominative Feminine: eine ekelhafte Sache (a disgusting thing/matter)
• Nominative Neuter: ein ekelhaftes Tier (a repulsive animal)
• Accusative Masculine: Ich sehe einen ekelhaften Fleck. (I see a disgusting stain.)

Don't feel like you need to memorize all the endings right away. The most common use you'll hear and use is 'Es ist ekelhaft' (It is disgusting) or using it directly after 'sein' (to be) without an ending, as in the first examples.

§ Common Phrases and Prepositions with 'ekelhaft'

While 'ekelhaft' itself doesn't directly take prepositions in the way verbs do, you'll often see it in sentences where prepositions describe *what* is disgusting or *why* it's disgusting.

The behavior of the man was disgusting.

I find it disgusting how some people just throw away their trash.

§ Don't Confuse 'ekelhaft' with 'schlecht'

While 'schlecht' can mean 'bad', it's not as strong as 'ekelhaft'.

• 'Das Essen ist schlecht.' (The food is bad – maybe old, or just not tasty.)
• 'Das Essen ist ekelhaft.' (The food is disgusting – truly repulsive, maybe spoiled or looks awful.)

Use 'ekelhaft' when 'bad' isn't strong enough to convey your feelings of disgust or revulsion.

§ Don't confuse 'ekelhaft' with 'schlecht'

Many German learners, especially those around B1 level, tend to use 'ekelhaft' interchangeably with 'schlecht' (bad). While something 'ekelhaft' can certainly be 'schlecht', the two words carry different nuances. 'Schlecht' is a general term for bad quality, performance, or morality. 'Ekelhaft', on the other hand, specifically denotes something that evokes a strong feeling of disgust, revulsion, or nausea. Think of it this way: a movie can be 'schlecht' (poorly made), but it's unlikely to be 'ekelhaft' unless it contains truly repulsive imagery. Food can be 'schlecht' if it tastes awful or is expired, but it's 'ekelhaft' if it's crawling with maggots or has a putrid smell.

§ 'Ekelhaft' and people

It's generally not advisable to describe people as 'ekelhaft' directly. While someone's actions or behavior might be 'ekelhaft' (e.g., 'Sein Verhalten war ekelhaft' - His behavior was disgusting), calling a person 'ein ekelhafter Mensch' (a disgusting person) is extremely harsh and offensive. It implies a fundamental repulsiveness in their very being, which is a much stronger accusation than simply saying they are 'schlecht' or unpleasant. If you want to describe someone as unpleasant or morally corrupt, there are other, less offensive German words you can use, such as 'widerlich' (nasty, repulsive – can be used for people, but still strong), 'unangenehm' (unpleasant), or 'gemein' (mean).

§ Overusing 'ekelhaft'

Because 'ekelhaft' is such a strong word, using it too often can make your speech sound repetitive and dramatic. Just like in English, if everything is 'disgusting', then nothing truly stands out as such. Try to vary your vocabulary when describing things you don't like. For example:

• For something that tastes bad: 'schmeckt nicht gut', 'ungenießbar' (inedible)
• For something that smells bad: 'stinkt', 'übelriechend' (foul-smelling)
• For something that looks bad: 'hässlich' (ugly), 'unappetitlich' (unappetizing)
• For something generally unpleasant: 'unangenehm', 'ärgerlich' (annoying)

§ 'Ekelhaft' vs. 'widerlich'

These two adjectives are very close in meaning and are often used synonymously. Both translate to 'disgusting' or 'repulsive'. However, some German speakers perceive 'ekelhaft' as slightly stronger, implying a more visceral reaction of disgust, often bordering on nausea. 'Widerlich' can sometimes be used in a broader sense to mean 'nasty' or 'obnoxious', not always tied to a physical feeling of revulsion. For instance, a person's behavior can be 'widerlich' without necessarily making you want to vomit. If you're unsure, 'ekelhaft' is a safe bet when you mean something that truly makes your stomach turn. When describing something generally unpleasant or morally objectionable, 'widerlich' might be a more fitting choice.

DEFINITION

ekelhaft (adjective): disgusting, repulsive

Understanding these distinctions will help you use 'ekelhaft' more accurately and naturally in your German conversations.

§ Similar words to ekelhaft

When you want to say something is 'disgusting' in German, ekelhaft is a great go-to word. However, German has a few other options that are useful to know. Let's look at widerlich and abscheulich.

§ Ekelhaft: The standard 'disgusting'

DEFINITION

Disgusting, repulsive. This is a strong word, often used for things that make you feel physically sick or repulsed.

Translation hint: The smell in the subway was really disgusting.

Translation hint: I find spiders disgusting.

§ Widerlich: Nasty, revolting

DEFINITION

Nasty, revolting, repugnant. Widerlich is very close to ekelhaft in meaning and is often used interchangeably. It also conveys a strong sense of repulsion.

Translation hint: That was a nasty joke.

Translation hint: The taste was truly revolting.

§ Abscheulich: Abominable, heinous

DEFINITION

Abominable, heinous, atrocious. Abscheulich is a very strong word, often implying a moral or ethical repulsion, more so than just physical disgust. It can also be used for things that are extremely ugly or unpleasant.

Translation hint: This deed was abominable.

Translation hint: The weather today is atrocious/abominable.

§ When to use which word

Here's a quick guide:

• Ekelhaft: Your everyday strong word for something disgusting, whether it's a smell, taste, or sight. Think 'yuck!'
• Widerlich: Very similar to ekelhaft, often interchangeable. Can also describe unpleasant behavior.
• Abscheulich: Use this for something truly awful, morally reprehensible, or extremely unpleasant/ugly. It's a notch stronger and more formal than the other two.

All three are strong words, but they sit on a slightly different spectrum of 'disgust'. Practice using them and you'll get a feel for the nuances.