Explanation at your level:
You use 혐오하다 when you really, really do not like something. It is a big, strong word. Do not use it for small things like apples or toys. Use it for things that are very bad, like hurting people.
This is a verb for strong dislike. If you see something that makes you feel sick or very angry, you can use this word. It is more serious than just saying 'I don't like it' (싫어하다).
At this level, you can use 혐오하다 to express your values. For example, you can say you detest unfair treatment. It is a formal way to show your stance on social issues.
Use this word when you want to emphasize deep-seated aversion. It is perfect for debates or essays where you need to express moral outrage. It carries more weight than synonyms like 미워하다 (to hate).
In advanced contexts, 혐오하다 is used to discuss societal phenomena, such as 'hate speech' (혐오 표현). It reflects a nuanced understanding of how personal feelings of disgust can manifest in public discourse.
Mastery of this word involves understanding its cultural weight. It is often used in literary or critical theory to describe the 'abject' or the 'repulsive.' It is a powerful tool for rhetoric when criticizing systemic injustices or profound moral failings.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Stronger than dislike
- Used for moral issues
- Formal register
- Noun form is 혐오
When you 혐오하다 (hyeom-o-ha-da), you aren't just saying you don't like something. You are expressing a powerful, visceral reaction of disgust or hatred. Think of it as the ultimate 'no' to something you find morally or physically repulsive.
It is a strong word that carries significant weight in Korean society. Using it suggests that you find the subject truly intolerable. It is often used in social commentary to describe reactions to discrimination or harmful behaviors.
The word 혐오하다 is derived from Sino-Korean roots. The character 혐 (嫌) relates to dislike or suspicion, while 오 (惡) refers to evil or bad things. Together, they form a compound that signifies 'hating evil' or 'detesting the bad.'
Historically, this term was often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a moral stance against corruption or vice. Over time, it has evolved to cover a wider range of personal and social dislikes, becoming a staple in modern discourse.
You will typically see this word used with objects or behaviors that cause strong negative reactions. It is common to say 차별을 혐오하다 (to detest discrimination) or 폭력을 혐오하다 (to detest violence).
Because it is a strong, serious word, you should avoid using it for trivial things like food or weather. If you say you '혐오하다' a sandwich, it sounds like you think the sandwich is morally corrupt, which is quite funny but definitely not the intended use!
While there aren't many 'idioms' using this specific word, it appears in phrases like 혐오감을 느끼다 (to feel a sense of disgust). Another common usage is 혐오를 표출하다 (to express hatred/disgust).
These phrases help soften the directness of the verb by turning the feeling into a noun. They are very useful in formal writing or news reports to describe public sentiment.
As a regular verb, 혐오하다 follows standard conjugation rules. You can change it to the past tense 혐오했다 or the progressive 혐오하고 있다.
The pronunciation is slightly tricky due to the 'hyeom' sound. Focus on the 'hy' glide followed by the 'eom' vowel. It rhymes loosely with words ending in '-o-ha-da' in Korean, such as 방어하다 (to defend), though the meanings are complete opposites.
Fun Fact
The character 嫌 (hyeom) originally referred to suspicion.
Pronunciation Guide
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Standard Korean pronunciation.
Common Errors
- Mispronouncing 'hyeom'
- Dropping the 'h' in 'hada'
- Incorrect vowel length
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Intermediate
Advanced
Advanced
Intermediate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Verb conjugation
혐오하다 -> 혐오한다
Examples by Level
나는 폭력을 혐오한다.
I detest violence.
Simple Subject-Object-Verb.
그는 거짓말을 혐오한다.
He detests lying.
Third person singular.
우리는 차별을 혐오한다.
We detest discrimination.
Plural subject.
그녀는 불공정을 혐오한다.
She detests unfairness.
Subject-Object-Verb.
범죄를 혐오한다.
(I) detest crime.
Subject omitted.
부패를 혐오한다.
(I) detest corruption.
Direct object usage.
그들은 전쟁을 혐오한다.
They detest war.
Plural pronoun.
악을 혐오한다.
(I) detest evil.
Simple noun object.
그는 모든 종류의 편견을 혐오한다.
우리는 환경 파괴를 혐오한다.
그녀는 비겁한 행동을 혐오한다.
나는 이기적인 사람을 혐오한다.
사회는 범죄를 혐오한다.
그들은 거짓된 약속을 혐오한다.
나는 무례함을 혐오한다.
우리는 가난을 혐오한다.
그는 자신의 과거를 혐오하기 시작했다.
많은 사람이 혐오 표현을 규제해야 한다고 주장한다.
그녀는 혐오감을 감추지 못했다.
우리는 인종 차별을 혐오하는 문화를 만들어야 한다.
그는 혐오스러운 범죄를 저질렀다.
나는 혐오를 조장하는 글을 싫어한다.
그들은 혐오의 대상이 되었다.
정부는 혐오 범죄에 엄정 대응하기로 했다.
그는 혐오를 넘어선 증오를 느꼈다.
사회적 혐오가 갈수록 심각해지고 있다.
그녀는 혐오스러운 광경에 고개를 돌렸다.
혐오의 정치는 사회를 분열시킨다.
그는 혐오를 멈추라고 외쳤다.
혐오를 기반으로 한 주장은 설득력이 없다.
많은 지식인이 혐오의 확산을 우려하고 있다.
우리는 혐오를 극복해야 한다.
그의 발언은 혐오를 부추기는 것으로 간주되었다.
혐오의 담론은 현대 사회의 어두운 단면이다.
그녀는 혐오를 내면화한 사람들을 비판했다.
혐오의 메커니즘은 매우 복잡하다.
그는 혐오의 대상이 되는 것을 두려워하지 않았다.
혐오를 상품화하는 미디어는 위험하다.
그들은 혐오의 고리를 끊어내려 노력했다.
혐오를 정당화하는 논리는 허점투성이다.
혐오의 미학은 문학에서 자주 다뤄지는 주제다.
그는 혐오를 실존적 공포로 치환했다.
혐오를 배제하는 것은 민주주의의 핵심 과제다.
그녀의 글은 혐오에 대한 철학적 성찰을 담고 있다.
혐오의 정동은 사회적 연대를 파괴한다.
그는 혐오의 근원을 심리학적으로 분석했다.
혐오를 극복하는 과정은 고통스럽다.
그들의 투쟁은 혐오에 맞선 역사적 기록이다.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"혐오감을 표시하다"
To show disgust
그는 얼굴로 혐오감을 표시했다.
neutral"혐오의 굴레"
Cycle of hate
혐오의 굴레에서 벗어나야 한다.
literary"혐오를 사다"
To incur hatred
그는 자신의 행동으로 혐오를 샀다.
formal"혐오를 씻어내다"
To wash away hate
우리는 과거의 혐오를 씻어내야 한다.
literary"혐오를 표출하다"
To express hate
그는 공개적으로 혐오를 표출했다.
formal"혐오를 품다"
To harbor hate
그는 마음속에 혐오를 품고 있었다.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean dislike.
혐오하다 is much stronger.
싫어하다 (don't like), 혐오하다 (detest).
Sentence Patterns
Subject + Object + 을/를 + 혐오하다
나는 차별을 혐오한다.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
혐오하다 is too strong for food preferences.
증오하다 is more about personal hatred, 혐오하다 is about disgust.
혐오하다 is a verb; use the adjective form for description.
It sounds overly dramatic in casual settings.
The final syllable is '다'.
Tips
Serious Tone
Only use for serious moral issues.
Don't be dramatic
Avoid using for trivial preferences.
Link to values
Learn it with words like 'justice' or 'violence'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Hyeom (sounds like 'hum') + O (oh!) = 'Hum, oh! That is disgusting!'
Visual Association
A person recoiling from a pile of trash.
Word Web
Challenge
Write three things you truly detest using this word.
Word Origin
Sino-Korean
Original meaning: To hate evil
Cultural Context
Highly sensitive; do not use lightly.
Similar to 'abhor' or 'detest'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social Justice
- 차별을 혐오하다
- 혐오 표현 금지
News
- 혐오 범죄 발생
Conversation Starters
"What is one thing you truly 혐오하다?"
"Why is 혐오 표현 a problem?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a social issue you 혐오하다.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is too strong.
Yes, it is used in serious contexts.
혐오.
Yes, but with more disgust.
Only if you truly despise them.
Yes, especially regarding crime.
Yes, it is inherently negative.
혐오감이 든다.
Test Yourself
나는 ___을 혐오한다.
폭력 is a serious issue.
Which word means 'to detest'?
혐오하다 is the correct term.
Is it okay to use 혐오하다 for a bad movie?
It is too strong for a movie.
Word
Meaning
Matching terms.
Subject-Object-Verb order.
Score: /5
Summary
Use 혐오하다 only when you feel deep, moral disgust toward something serious.
- Stronger than dislike
- Used for moral issues
- Formal register
- Noun form is 혐오
Serious Tone
Only use for serious moral issues.
Don't be dramatic
Avoid using for trivial preferences.
Link to values
Learn it with words like 'justice' or 'violence'.
Example
나는 폭력과 차별을 혐오한다.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More emotions words
받아들이다
A2To accept, to embrace, to take in.
아파하다
A2To feel pain or sorrow.
감탄스럽다
A2To be admirable or wonderful; to inspire awe.
감탄
A2Admiration or marvel; a feeling of wonder.
감탄하다
A2To admire or to marvel; to express wonder.
기특하다
B1Admirable for a good deed or thought; commendable.
충고
B1Guidance or recommendations offered with regard to prudent future action; advice.
애정
B1Affection; a gentle feeling of fondness or liking.
애틋하다
B2To be tender, fond, or wistful.
살갑다
B2To be warm, friendly, affectionate.
