How do you use "Grim" in a sentence?

The weather's looking pretty grim. That toilet was grim. Things are looking grim for the company. What a grim situation.

Grim

Q: What does "Grim" mean?

Unpleasant, harsh, depressing Describes something unpleasant, bleak, or depressing. British usage covers bad weather, poor quality, and generally miserable conditions.

Slang Term British ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Unpleasant, harsh, depressing

糟糕的、严峻的、不愉快的

Desagradable, sombrío, horrible

厳しい、ひどい、不快な

암울한, 혹독한, 우울한

Describes something unpleasant, bleak, or depressing. British usage covers bad weather, poor quality, and generally miserable conditions.

英式俚语，描述令人不快、令人沮丧或令人担忧的情况。可以指天气、情况或物理状态。

Argot británico que describe situaciones desagradables, deprimentes o preocupantes. Puede referirse al clima, situaciones o condiciones físicas.

不快な、憂鬱な、または心配な状況を表すイギリスのスラング。天気、状況、または物理的な状態を指すことができる。

불쾌하거나, 암울하거나, 우울한 것을 묘사하는 말. 영국에서는 나쁜 날씨, 낮은 품질, 전반적으로 비참한 상태를 표현할 때 사용.

Examples

The weather's looking pretty grim.
天气看起来很糟糕。
El tiempo parece sombrío.
天気が暗そうだね。
날씨가 꽤 암울해 보여.
That toilet was grim.
那部电影很阴暗——一直很压抑。
La película era sombría—muy deprimente.
あの映画暗かった——ずっと憂鬱。
그 화장실 진짜 끔찍했어.
Things are looking grim for the company.
厕所真的很脏。
El baño estaba bastante horrible.
トイレがかなりひどかった。
회사 상황이 안 좋아 보여.
What a grim situation.
形势看起来很严峻。
Las cosas se ven sombrías.
状況は厳しく見える。
정말 암울한 상황이네.

Pronunciation

/ɡrɪm/

Usage Guide

Context: weather, conditions, quality

Tone: disapproving, resigned

✓ Do Say

That's grim.
有点糟糕。
Un poco sombrío.
ちょっと厳しい。
그거 끔찍하다.
Looks grim.
看起来很严峻。
Se ve sombrío.
厳しそう。
상황이 안 좋아 보여.
Pretty grim situation.
情况很糟糕。
La situación es sombría.
状況は厳しい。
꽤 암울한 상황이야.

✗ Don't Say

Very British usage for unpleasant things
非常英式用法
Uso muy británico
とてもイギリス的な用法
불쾌한 것에 대한 매우 영국적인 표현
Americans use more formally
美国人不常这样用
Los americanos no lo usan así de seguido
アメリカ人はあまりこう使わない
미국인들은 더 격식 있게 사용

Common Mistakes

British casual usage is broader than American
Can describe minor unpleasantness

Origin & History

From Old English 'grimm' (fierce, savage). In modern British usage, broadened to cover anything unpleasant or depressing.

Etymology: From Old English 'grimm' (fierce)

First recorded: Old English, modern slang usage recent

Cultural Context

Era: Modern slang from 20th century

Generation: All ages in UK

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Common British description; Often used for weather

Regional notes: British and Irish casual usage. Americans use more formally/seriously.

Variations

GrimA bit grimLooking grim