01
grauenhaft
awful
Informal for extremely bad, terrible, or of very low quality.
example
Das Essen in diesem Restaurant war einfach grauenhaft.
The food in this restaurant was simply awful.
grauenhaft
awful
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word family
The adjective 'grauenhaft' (awful/horrifying) is derived from the noun 'das Grauen' (horror, dread). So it literally describes something so bad that it causes horror.
EXAMPLE
Beim Anblick der Zerstörung erfasste ihn das Grauen.
At the sight of the destruction, he was seized by horror.
Informal use
In colloquial speech, 'grauenhaft' (awful) is often used as a strong exaggeration for 'very bad.' It then does not describe real danger, but only very poor quality, for example with food, weather, or music.
EXAMPLE
Ich fand den Film grauenhaft langweilig.
I found the film awfully boring.
Context clue
You can tell from the context whether the exaggerated meaning (bad food) or the literal meaning (accident) is meant. Is it an everyday, subjective judgment or an objectively terrible event?
EXAMPLE
Seine neue Frisur ist einfach grauenhaft.
His new haircut is simply awful.
Compare with
grauenhaft vs schrecklich
terrible
'schrecklich' and 'grauenhaft' both describe something very negative. 'schrecklich' is a general word for something very unpleasant, awful, or very bad. 'grauenhaft' often feels stronger and more emotional. It is especially suitable when something causes horror or disgust, but in informal speech it can also simply mean 'extremely bad'. In many everyday situations, you can use both words. However, 'grauenhaft' often sounds more dramatic than 'schrecklich'.
grauenhaft
Am Wochenende war der neue Horrorfilm so grauenhaft, dass sie kaum schlafen konnte.
At the weekend, the new horror film was so horrifying that she could hardly sleep.
schrecklich
Wegen des schrecklichen Wetters bleiben wir heute mit den Kindern zu Hause.
Because of the terrible weather, we are staying home with the children today.
In real life
Loading video examples...