Odiar vs. detestar vs. aborrecer
The Spanish words 'odiar', 'detestar', and 'aborrecer' all convey a sense of strong dislike or hatred, but they can be used in slightly different contexts or to express different nuances of hatred.
Odiar
Odiar means 'to hate'. It is the most common and direct way to express strong aversion or intense dislike.
Odio levantarme temprano.
(I hate getting up early.)
Ella odia las mentiras.
(She hates lies.)
Nosotros odiamos el ruido en la ciudad.
(We hate the noise in the city.)
Detestar
Detestar also means 'to hate', but it carries a slightly stronger connotation, often implying intense disgust or repulsion.
Detesto los insectos.
(I detest insects.)
Ellos detestan la hipocresía.
(They detest hypocrisy.)
Mi hermano detesta el brócoli.
(My brother loathes broccoli.)
Aborrecer
'Aborrecer' also translates to 'to abhor' or 'to loathe'. It implies an even deeper, more intense form of hatred, often accompanied by moral or ethical contempt.
Aborrezco la violencia de cualquier tipo.
(I abhor violence of any kind.)
Carlos aborrece las injusticias sociales.
(Carlos abhors social injustices.)
Maria aborrece el abuso animal.
(Mary loathes animal abuse.)
Summary
'Odiar', 'detestar', and 'aborrecer' all mean 'to hate', but they vary in intensity and context. 'Odiar' is the most straightforward term for expressing strong dislike. 'Detestar' denotes a stronger, more emotional disgust. 'Aborrecer' conveys the deepest level of hatred and often includes a moral judgment.