(けが)らわしい

けがらわしい
adjective-i
filthy; disgusting; defiling
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present(けが)らわしい(けが)らわしくない
Past(けが)らわしかった(けが)らわしくなかった
て form(けが)らわしくて(けが)らわしくなくて
Adverbial(けが)らわしく
Conditional ば(けが)らわしければ(けが)らわしくなければ
Conditional たら(けが)らわしかったら(けが)らわしくなかったら
1. filthy; disgusting; abhorrent; morally repugnant
Describes something that is morally or spiritually impure and offensive. Stronger than simply 'dirty' — implies deep revulsion and contamination.
(けが)らわしい行為(こうい)だ。
That is a disgusting act.
そんな(けが)らわしい(かね)()()れない。
I can't accept such tainted money.
(けが)らわしいものを()るような()(かれ)をにらんだ。
She glared at him as if looking at something repulsive.

(けが)らわしい expresses deep revulsion — moral, spiritual, or emotional — not merely physical dirtiness.

ETYMOLOGY:
Related to (けが)れ (impurity, defilement), a concept rooted in Shinto beliefs about ritual purity and contamination.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • (きたな)い: dirty (physical or general); much milder
  • (いや)しい: base, vulgar (focuses on low character)
  • ()まわしい: abominable, ominous (focuses on things one wishes to avoid)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • (けが)らわしい行為(こうい): disgusting act
  • (けが)らわしい(かね): tainted money
  • (けが)らわしいものを()るような(): a look of utter disgust

REGISTER:
Formal and literary. Rarely used in casual conversation — more typical of novels, drama, and emotional speech. Carries strong moral judgment.