hässlich
ugly
Visually unattractive; unpleasant in appearance.
EXAMPLE
Er fand das moderne Gebäude aus Glas und Stahl einfach nur hässlich.
He found the modern building made of glass and steel simply ugly.
hässlich
ugly
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Meanings
hässlich
ugly
Morally or personally repulsive; mean, malicious, or unfair.
EXAMPLE
Das war eine wirklich hässliche Bemerkung über seine Kollegin.
That was a really ugly remark about his colleague.
hässlich
ugly
Describing a situation or event as very unpleasant, difficult, or threatening.
EXAMPLE
Nach der Trennung gab es einen hässlichen Streit um das Sorgerecht.
After the separation, there was an ugly dispute over custody.
Usage tips
For behavior & character
'Hässlich' (ugly) describes not only appearance, but also mean or unfair behavior. The context (e.g., words, actions, character) makes it clear that a moral judgment is meant.
EXAMPLE
Es war hässlich von ihm, das Gerücht zu verbreiten.
It was ugly of him to spread the rumor.
For situations & events
The word is also used to describe very unpleasant or threatening situations. Typical combinations are 'ein hässlicher Streit' (an ugly dispute) or 'eine hässliche Szene' (an ugly scene).
EXAMPLE
Die Scheidung entwickelte sich zu einer hässlichen Schlammschlacht.
The divorce developed into an ugly mudslinging match.
Use as an adverb
'Hässlich' (ugly) can be used as an adverb to describe an action. It then means 'in a mean/unfair way.'
EXAMPLE
Sie hat sich ihm gegenüber wirklich hässlich benommen.
She really behaved uglily toward him.
Compare with
hässlich vs gemein
mean / common
Gemein describes behavior more specifically as malicious, unfair, or deliberately hurtful. Hässlich can judge the same behavior more generally as morally repulsive. Gemein is therefore especially fitting for a deliberate act of causing hurt; hässlich places more emphasis on moral disgust at it.
hässlich
Sein hässlicher Angriff auf die Kollegin stieß alle anderen ab.
His ugly attack on his colleague disgusted everyone else.
gemein
Sein gemeiner Angriff sollte die Kollegin vor allen anderen verletzen.
His mean attack was intended to hurt his colleague in front of everyone else.
In real life
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