hideous / awful
Loading your saved state.
hideous / awful
Describes something that is extremely unpleasant, disgusting, or morally reprehensible and causes revulsion.
Der Geruch aus dem Mülleimer war absolut abscheulich.
The smell from the trash can was absolutely hideous.
awfully
Used as an adverb to intensify a negative quality or feeling; it then means something like 'terribly' or 'dreadfully'.
Mir ist heute abscheulich kalt.
I am awfully cold today.
The adjective 'abscheulich' (hideous / awful) comes from the noun 'der Abscheu' (revulsion / disgust), which means disgust or deep aversion. Something that is 'abscheulich' therefore causes revulsion.
Er empfand einen tiefen Abscheu bei dem Gedanken an die Tat.
He felt deep revulsion at the thought of the act.
'Abscheulich' (hideous / awful) is a very strong and emotional word. It expresses extreme disgust or moral outrage and is much more intense than 'schlecht' (bad) or 'unangenehm' (unpleasant).
Die Bedingungen in dem Tierheim waren einfach nur abscheulich.
The conditions in the animal shelter were simply hideous.
As an adjective before a noun, 'abscheulich' is declined. As an adverb intensifying another adjective or a state, it remains unchanged.
Das war ein abscheulicher Verrat. (Adjektiv)
That was a hideous betrayal. (Adjective)
'Abscheulich' (hideous / awful) is often used to describe sensory perceptions (smell, taste), actions (crime, act), or character-related qualities (lie, betrayal).
Im ganzen Haus verbreitete sich ein abscheulicher Gestank.
A hideous stench spread throughout the whole house.
terrible
Schrecklich and abscheulich can both be used as intensifiers before a negative adjective. Schrecklich usually intensifies something neutrally and broadly, while abscheulich clearly expresses an evaluation and can suggest disgust or moral disapproval. Schrecklich fits strong but more matter-of-fact criticism; abscheulich is more suitable when something is disgusting or reprehensible.
Die Behandlung der hilflosen Gäste war abscheulich ungerecht.
The treatment of the helpless guests was awfully unfair.
Die Behandlung der Gäste war schrecklich ungerecht.
The treatment of the guests was terribly unfair.
