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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
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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 both describe something that is very unpleasant or repulsive. 'ekelhaft' fits especially well when something causes disgust, for example because of its smell, taste, or appearance. It can also describe mean behavior. 'übel' is somewhat broader: it can refer to a very bad smell or taste, but also to morally bad behavior. In addition, 'übel' is used in other fixed meanings, for example when someone feels sick. If you want to strongly emphasize disgust, 'ekelhaft' usually sounds more natural.
ekelhaft
Die verschimmelte Suppe sah ekelhaft aus.
The moldy soup looked disgusting.
übel
Im Keller roch es übel, weil dort alte Lebensmittel lagen.
It smelled foul in the basement because there was old food there.
In real life
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