Dégoûtant vs. répugnant vs. dégueulasse
In the French language, various words exist to express the idea of something being unpleasant to the senses or morally offensive. Dégoûtant, répugnant, and dégueulasse are three such words that convey different nuances of what English speakers might refer to as disgusting or repulsive. While they can often be used interchangeably, they carry slightly different connotations and are used in different contexts.
Dégoûtant
A2This word is a formal term that directly translates to disgusting. It can relate to both physical revulsion and moral disapproval.
Les ordures dans la rue étaient dégoûtantes après la grève des éboueurs.
(The garbage on the street was disgusting after the garbage collectors' strike.)
L'attitude de cet homme envers les animaux est vraiment dégoûtante.
(That man's attitude towards animals is really disgusting.)
Répugnant
B2Répugnant carries a sense of deep disgust or repulsion, often in a moral or intellectual sense. It can be physical as well, but it is typically reserved for reactions to actions or behaviors.
Il trouve l'idée de tricher aux examens répugnante.
(He finds the idea of cheating on exams repulsive.)
Les images de violence à la télévision sont répugnantes et inacceptables pour les enfants.
(The images of violence on television are repulsive and unacceptable for children.)
Dégueulasse
B1Very colloquial in nature, dégueulasse is an informal term similar to gross or nasty. It often refers to a visceral physical reaction, especially regarding taste, cleanliness, or hygiene.
Ce restaurant est dégueulasse; mon steak était cru!
(This restaurant is gross; my steak was raw!)
Ne touche pas à ça, c'est dégueulasse!
(Don't touch that, it's nasty!)
Summary
Dégoûtant, répugnant, and dégueulasse all serve to communicate different aspects of being off-putting. While dégoûtant can be used broadly and formally for both physical disgust and moral disdain, répugnant often implies a more profound sense of ethical or intellectual outrage. On another front, dégueulasse delivers a stronger punch with its informal tone that vividly describes something as filthy or vile, particularly in contexts related to taste and sanitation.