repulsive / repellent
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repulsive
Causing a very strong negative reaction such as disgust or revulsion. It can refer to appearance, smell, behavior, or moral qualities.
Ich fand sein arrogantes Verhalten absolut abstoßend.
I found his arrogant behavior absolutely repulsive.
'Abstoßend' (repulsive/repellent) is the present participle of the separable verb 'abstoßen' (to repel / to push away). The literal meaning 'to push something away from oneself' helps you understand both meanings: something repels you emotionally (disgust) or physically (force).
Sein Verhalten stößt mich ab.
His behavior repels me.
You can tell from the context whether the physical or emotional meaning is intended. If it is about feelings, morality, or aesthetics (smell, behavior), it means disgust. If it is about physics (magnets, charges), it refers to the repelling force.
Ich finde seine unhöfliche Art abstoßend.
I find his rude manner repulsive.
In the meaning 'disgusting', 'abstoßend' (repulsive) is often combined with words like 'Geruch' (smell), 'Anblick' (sight), or 'Verhalten' (behavior). It is often intensified by adverbs like 'absolut' (absolutely), 'völlig' (completely), or 'zutiefst' (deeply).
Im Keller war ein absolut abstoßender Geruch.
There was an absolutely repulsive smell in the basement.
To express a personal opinion, 'abstoßend' (repulsive) is often used with the verb 'finden' (to find). The structure is then: 'Ich finde etwas/jemanden abstoßend' (I find something/someone repulsive).
Viele Menschen finden die Gewalt in diesem Videospiel abstoßend.
Many people find the violence in this video game repulsive.
attractive
'attraktiv' and 'abstoßend' both describe the effect that something or someone has on us. 'attraktiv' is positive: a person, an offer, or an idea seems beautiful, interesting, or appealing. 'abstoßend' is very negative: something causes disgust, strong rejection, or revulsion. So the opposite is not just 'not beautiful', but much stronger. 'attraktiv' also fits advantages, for example with a job or a price. 'abstoßend' is used more when something seems truly unpleasant, such as behavior, a smell, or a sight.
Sein Verhalten gegenüber der alten Frau fand die ganze Gruppe abstoßend.
The whole group found his behavior toward the elderly woman repulsive.
Das neue Jobangebot ist wegen der flexiblen Arbeitszeiten sehr attraktiv.
The new job offer is very attractive because of the flexible working hours.