Hello, I’m Kodak.
If you watch Japanese anime, read manga, play online games, or browse Japanese social media, you may hear someone say キモい (kimoi).
キモい is casual slang shortened from 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui). Depending on context, it can mean “gross,” “creepy,” “disgusting,” “weird in an unpleasant way,” or “that gives me the ick.”
キモい (kimoi)
⇒ gross
⇒ creepy
⇒ disgusting
⇒ unpleasant / revolting
⇒ “That gives me the ick.”
キモい vs 怖い
キモい expresses disgust or repulsion.
怖い expresses fear or a sense of danger.
Today’s Japanese slang is キモい (kimoi)!
It comes from:
気持ち悪い (kimochi warui)
↓
キモい (kimoi)
Its core image is “something creates an unpleasant, disgusted feeling inside you.”
What Does Kimoi (キモい) Mean?
キモい is a slang adjective used when something feels unpleasant, disgusting, creepy, or difficult to accept emotionally.
・something visually disgusting
・creepy behavior
・an unpleasant texture or movement
・an overly obsessive or intrusive person
・a strange situation that creates discomfort
・something that makes the speaker feel physical or emotional revulsion
この虫、キモい。
Kono mushi, kimoi.
This bug is gross.
ずっとこっちを見ていて、ちょっとキモい。
Zutto kocchi o mite ite, chotto kimoi.
He keeps staring over here. It’s kind of creepy.
その動き、なんかキモい。
Sono ugoki, nanka kimoi.
That movement is kind of gross.
Kimoi Comes from 気持ち悪い
キモい is generally understood as a shortened slang form of 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui).
feeling unwell / unpleasant / disgusting / creepy
↓
キモい
gross / creepy / disgusting
The shortening does not simply take the first half. Japanese slang compresses the expression and reshapes it into an い-adjective-like form ending in い.
When Did Kimoi Become Common?
The modern slang meaning of キモい developed from 気持ち悪い and became especially noticeable in youth language during the 1990s.
Japanese dictionary editor Hiroaki Iima notes that the present “disgusting” sense was not yet broadly common in the 1980s and cites an example of 超キモイ from a 1995 magazine. The expression then spread more widely through youth speech, television, mobile messaging, and online communication.
気持ち悪い
The full standard expression
↓
キモい
A compact slang adjective
↓
Wider use in youth speech and popular culture during the 1990s and after
Older Japanese also had unrelated uses of a similar-sounding word, but the modern slang meaning discussed here is the shortened form of 気持ち悪い.
How Is Kimoi Written and Pronounced?
Hiragana: きもい
All katakana: キモイ
Romaji: kimoi
Mora: き・も・い (3 morae)
キモい is commonly written with キモ in katakana and い in hiragana. The katakana visually emphasizes the slangy, emotional quality.
The all-hiragana form きもい and all-katakana form キモイ are also used. The meaning is usually the same, though all katakana may look stronger or more dramatic.
How to Use Kimoi
1. キモい: “That’s Gross”
The subject is often omitted because it is already obvious.
うわ、キモい！
Uwa, kimoi!
Ew, gross!
2. ～がキモい: “Something Is Gross”
この触り心地がキモい。
Kono sawarigokochi ga kimoi.
This texture feels gross.
3. ～しててキモい: “It’s Creepy That Someone Is…”
知らない人がずっと後をついてきててキモい。
Shiranai hito ga zutto ato o tsuite kitete kimoi.
A stranger keeps following me. It’s creepy.
4. キモくない？: “Isn’t That Gross?”
その動画、ちょっとキモくない？
Sono dōga, chotto kimokunai?
Isn’t that video kind of gross?
5. キモかった: “It Was Gross”
夢に出てきた怪物がキモかった。
Yume ni dete kita kaibutsu ga kimokatta.
The monster in my dream was gross.
Conjugation of Kimoi
Although キモい is slang, it usually behaves like an ordinary Japanese い-adjective.
gross / creepy
キモくない
not gross / isn’t gross
キモかった
was gross
キモくなかった
was not gross
キモくて
gross, and… / because it is gross
キモすぎる
too gross / extremely creepy
見た目がキモくて、触れなかった。
Mitame ga kimokute, sawarenakatta.
It looked so gross that I couldn’t touch it.
そのメッセージ、キモすぎる。
Sono messēji, kimosugiru.
That message is way too creepy.
Kimoi Can Mean “Gross,” “Creepy,” or “Disgusting”
There is no single perfect English translation. The best choice depends on what produces the unpleasant feeling.
⇒ gross / disgusting
A stranger staring continuously
⇒ creepy
An unpleasant movement
⇒ gross / weird
An intrusive romantic message
⇒ creepy / gives me the ick
A disturbing image
⇒ disgusting / disturbing
Kimoi vs Kowai: What Is the Difference?
キモい and 怖い (kowai) may describe the same object, but they express different emotional reactions.
Core emotion: disgust, repulsion, or unpleasantness
English: gross / creepy / disgusting
怖い
Core emotion: fear, anxiety, or perceived danger
English: scary / frightening / afraid
| Situation | キモい | 怖い |
|---|---|---|
| A large insect | Its appearance or movement is disgusting | You fear it may fly at or bite you |
| A stranger following you | The behavior feels creepy and invasive | You feel endangered |
| A horror monster | Its design looks grotesque | The monster frightens you |
| An obsessive message | The message gives you the ick | The sender makes you feel unsafe |
| Rotten food | It looks or smells disgusting | Usually not 怖い unless you fear illness |
This bug is gross.
⇒ Focus: its appearance or movement disgusts you.
この虫、怖い。
This bug is scary.
⇒ Focus: you are afraid of it.
この虫、キモいし怖い。
This bug is gross and scary.
⇒ Both reactions are possible at the same time.
Kimoi vs Kimochi Warui
The full expression 気持ち悪い has a wider range than the slang abbreviation キモい.
| Expression | Main uses | Style |
|---|---|---|
| 気持ち悪い | Feel sick; unpleasant; disgusting; creepy | Standard and broad |
| キモい | Gross; creepy; disgusting | Blunt slang |
乗り物酔いで気持ち悪い。
Norimono-yoi de kimochi warui.
I feel sick from motion sickness.
In this physical-health meaning, キモい is usually not the natural replacement.
あの人の話し方、ちょっとキモい。
Ano hito no hanashikata, chotto kimoi.
The way that person talks is kind of creepy.
Here, the slang キモい sounds natural in casual speech, although it is insulting.
Kimoi vs Kishoi
きしょい (kishoi) is another slang word meaning gross or disgusting. It comes from 気色が悪い (kishoku ga warui).
Shortened from 気持ち悪い
Very widely understood
きしょい
Shortened from 気色が悪い
Also means gross / creepy / disgusting
May sound especially blunt or regionally familiar depending on the speaker
その虫、キモい。
That bug is gross.
その虫、きしょい。
That bug is disgusting.
The difference is not always sharp. Both are rude when directed at a person.
Kimoi vs Bukimi
不気味 (bukimi) means eerie, uncanny, or ominous. It often combines discomfort with fear or uncertainty.
A gross or creepy-looking doll
不気味な人形
An eerie, ominous doll
不気味 is more neutral and descriptive than キモい, making it more suitable for writing, reviews, and serious explanations.
Is Kimoi Rude?
Yes, キモい can be highly insulting when used about a person. It communicates strong rejection, disgust, or contempt.
・a fictional monster
・an insect
・a strange animation effect
・a deliberately grotesque design
Potentially hurtful:
・someone’s face or body
・someone’s voice or mannerisms
・someone’s hobbies or identity
・a person showing romantic interest
・a classmate who is already being excluded or bullied
その画像、キモい。
That image is gross.
⇒ Blunt, but directed at an image.
お前、キモい。
You’re disgusting / You creep me out.
⇒ A direct personal insult.
Softer Alternatives to Kimoi
Choose a more specific and less insulting expression when possible.
I’m not very comfortable with it.
少し不気味。
It’s a little eerie.
なんとなく怖い。
It’s somehow scary.
ちょっと変わっている。
It’s a little unusual.
あまり好きじゃない。
I don’t really like it.
不快に感じる。
I find it unpleasant.
その言い方はやめてほしい。
I want you to stop speaking that way.
These alternatives describe your own reaction or the specific problem instead of labeling the entire person as disgusting.
How Kimoi Is Used in Anime, Manga, and Games
In fictional dialogue, キモい may reveal a character’s personality, social relationship, or emotional intensity.
・reacting to a monster or alien
・rejecting an unwanted romantic advance
・insulting a rival or unpopular character
・teasing a close friend
・describing an obsessive villain
・reacting to grotesque transformation or body horror
・showing that a character is blunt, cruel, or socially dominant
What is that movement? Gross!
ずっと私の写真を集めてたの？ キモい。
You’ve been collecting photos of me this whole time? That’s creepy.
うわ、この敵キモすぎ。
Ew, this enemy is way too gross.
近づかないで。キモい。
Don’t come near me. You creep me out.
The last example is emotionally strong. In a story, it may communicate fear, rejection, cruelty, or bullying depending on the context.
Can Kimoi Be Used Positively?
Normally, キモい is negative. However, people sometimes combine it with praise in playful subculture language.
gross but cute / weirdly cute
キモかっこいい
gross or bizarre, but somehow cool
キモうまい
Looks gross but tastes surprisingly good
These compounds do not make キモい fully positive. They describe a strange combination in which something unpleasant also has an appealing quality.
Natural Example Sentences with Kimoi
This jelly looks kind of gross.
そのキャラクター、キモかわいいね。
That character is gross but cute.
知らない人から毎日メッセージが来て、キモいし怖い。
A stranger messages me every day. It’s creepy and scary.
このホラーゲームの敵、動きがキモすぎる。
The enemies in this horror game move in such a gross way.
食べ物をぐちゃぐちゃに混ぜるのはキモい。
Mixing the food into a mess is gross.
気持ち悪いから、少し休みたい。
I feel sick, so I want to rest for a while.
⇒ Physical condition: use 気持ち悪い rather than キモい.
暗い道で足音が聞こえて怖かった。
I heard footsteps on a dark street, and it was scary.
⇒ Fear: use 怖い.
その人の話し方はキモいというより、不気味だった。
The way that person spoke was more eerie than gross.
Common Mistakes with Kimoi
Mistake 1: Using Kimoi for Nausea
○ 車に酔って気持ち悪い。
I feel sick from carsickness.
For your own physical nausea, the full phrase 気持ち悪い is normally clearer and more natural.
Mistake 2: Translating It Only as “Scary”
キモい centers on disgust. 怖い centers on fear.
Mistake 3: Calling a Person Kimoi Casually
Even if you have heard the word in anime, directly calling someone キモい can be a severe insult.
Mistake 4: Assuming Kimochi Warui and Kimoi Are Always Interchangeable
気持ち悪い can describe illness and physical discomfort. キモい is mainly a slang judgment meaning gross or creepy.
Mistake 5: Confusing Kimoi with Kirai
gross / creepy / disgusting
嫌い
dislike / hate / not like
You can dislike something without finding it disgusting.
Mistake 6: Using It in Formal Situations
Avoid キモい in business communication, formal writing, customer service, and respectful conversation.
FAQ About Kimoi
What does kimoi mean in Japanese?
キモい (kimoi) is slang meaning gross, creepy, disgusting, or unpleasant. It is shortened from 気持ち悪い.
What is kimoi short for?
It is a shortened slang form of 気持ち悪い (kimochi warui).
How do you write kimoi in Japanese?
Common spellings are キモい, きもい, and キモイ.
How do you pronounce kimoi?
It is pronounced き・も・い, with three morae: ki-mo-i.
Does kimoi mean gross or creepy?
It can mean both. Use “gross” for disgusting appearance, texture, or movement, and “creepy” for intrusive or unsettling behavior.
What is the difference between kimoi and kowai?
キモい expresses disgust or repulsion. 怖い expresses fear or perceived danger.
Can something be both kimoi and kowai?
Yes. A monster, insect, or creepy person may be both disgusting and frightening: キモいし怖い.
What is the difference between kimoi and kimochi warui?
気持ち悪い is a standard, broader expression that can also mean physically nauseated. キモい is blunt slang mainly meaning gross or creepy.
Is kimoi rude?
It can be very rude, especially when directed at a person’s appearance, behavior, voice, hobbies, or identity.
What is the difference between kimoi and kishoi?
Both mean gross or creepy. キモい comes from 気持ち悪い, while きしょい comes from 気色が悪い.
Can I use kimoi with friends?
Close friends may use it jokingly, but it can still hurt. It is safer to use it for fictional monsters, objects, or effects rather than directly labeling a person.
What is a polite alternative to kimoi?
Depending on the meaning, use 不快です, 少し不気味です, 苦手です, or describe the specific behavior that bothers you.
Summary: Kimoi Meaning and Kimoi vs Kowai
キモい means gross, creepy, disgusting, or unpleasant.
● Origin
It is shortened from 気持ち悪い.
● Writing
キモい / きもい / キモイ.
● Grammar
It usually conjugates like an い-adjective: キモくない, キモかった, キモすぎる.
● Kimoi vs kowai
キモい = disgust or repulsion.
怖い = fear or danger.
● Kimoi vs kimochi warui
気持ち悪い can mean physically sick; キモい mainly gives a slang judgment of “gross” or “creepy.”
● Politeness
キモい is blunt and can be highly insulting when directed at a person.
Remember the emotional difference:
キモい
“I want to pull away because it disgusts me.”
怖い
“I want to pull away because it frightens me.”
A thing can create either reaction—or both at the same time!
References
- Kotobank: きもい — defines the slang as 気持ちが悪い, 気色が悪い, and lists related expressions.
- Kotobank: 気持ち悪い — covers physical illness, unpleasant sensation, and lingering discomfort.
- Hiroaki Iima, 考える人: 「ムズい・キモい」「ハズい」 — discusses the modern slang’s spread and cites a 1995 example of 超キモイ.
- Kotobank: 気色が悪い — the source expression related to きしょい.
- Kotobank: きしょい — defines the slang as 気色が悪い or 気持ちが悪い.
- Kotobank: 不気味 — defines the eerie or vaguely frightening nuance.
- Kotobank: 恐ろしい — describes danger, unease, and fear related to 怖い.
- Kotobank: 怖 — kanji meanings related to being afraid and frightened.