ekelhaft
disgusting
Causing disgust or revulsion, usually referring to smell, taste, or appearance; repulsive.
EXAMPLE
Der Geruch von verfaultem Essen ist einfach ekelhaft.
The smell of rotten food is simply disgusting.
ekelhaft
disgusting
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Meanings
ekelhaft
disgusting
Morally repulsive, mean, or vile in behavior.
EXAMPLE
Es ist ekelhaft, wie er über seine Kollegen spricht.
It's disgusting how he talks about his colleagues.
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'ekelhaft' (disgusting) is derived from the noun 'der Ekel' (disgust, revulsion). The ending '-haft' means 'of the nature of' or 'full of'. So something that is 'ekelhaft' causes disgust.
EXAMPLE
Ich empfinde einen großen Ekel vor Spinnen.
I feel great disgust toward spiders.
Context clue
You can recognize the meaning by what is being described. If 'ekelhaft' refers to food, smells, or dirt, the literal meaning is intended. If it refers to behavior, statements, or a person, the moral meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Diese Suppe schmeckt ekelhaft.
This soup tastes disgusting.
Use as an adverb
'Ekelhaft' can also be used as an adverb to describe an action. In this case, it remains unchanged after the verb.
EXAMPLE
Das Badezimmer stinkt ekelhaft.
The bathroom smells disgusting.
Compare with
ekelhaft vs übel
nauseous / bad
Übel and ekelhaft can describe an unpleasant smell or taste. Übel mainly evaluates the strong unpleasant sensory impression. Ekelhaft emphasizes more clearly that this impression causes disgust or strong revulsion.
ekelhaft
Die verdorbene Milch riecht so ekelhaft, dass ich sie sofort wegschütte.
The spoiled milk smells so disgusting that I throw it away immediately.
übel
Die alte Milch riecht übel.
The old milk smells foul.
In real life
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