嫌う
kirau[kʲiɾa̠ɯ̟]
To dislike something in Japanese, the default verb is 嫌う (kirau). Wiktionary also lists 厭う (itou).
Meaning: not to like something (verb)
Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| 嫌う | kirau | [kʲiɾa̠ɯ̟] (narrow) |
| 厭う | itou | [ito̞ɯ̟] (narrow) |
The verb 嫌う (kirau) is used to express the action of disliking something. While 嫌う is a verb, Japanese speakers more commonly express 'dislike' using the na-adjective 嫌い (kirai) in daily conversation. Related nouns include 嫌悪 or 厭悪, which refer to a feeling of distaste.
Which one should you use?
厭う (itou) is a more formal, literary or archaic way to express distaste or aversion compared to the common 嫌う (kirau).
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the adjective 嫌い in a formal written context, one uses the form 嫌いである (kirai de aru).
How do you pronounce it?
kirau
When do people say it?
In internet interaction, the terms ヤダネ! or やだね! are used.
Did you know?
- The verb 嫌う is believed by some linguists to be a relative of the verb 切る, which means 'to cut'.
Examples in context
- 夫は、なぜだか、彼女が私について話すのを厭うように見えました。実際、彼女は、私のことを話し過ぎるのでした。For some reason, her husband seemed to dislike that she spoke of me. In truth, she talked too much about me.This sentence shows how to use 厭う to describe someone appearing to dislike an action.Tatoeba #1245031 by Scott, translation #1245088 by Scott
- 私(わたし)は寿司(すし)が嫌(いや)です。I dislike sushi.
- 彼(かれ)は甘(あま)いものが好(す)きじゃないです。He does not like sweet things.
- 私(わたし)は犬(いぬ)が嫌(きら)い。I dislike dogs.
- この歌(うた)はあまり好(す)きじゃない。I don't really like this song.
- 私は嘘をつく人を嫌う。Watashi wa uso o tsuku hito o kirau.I dislike people who tell lies.
Example conversation
Yui and Hiroto are talking about food.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんは、納豆を嫌うの？Hiroto-kun wa, nattō o kirau no?Hiroto, do you dislike natto?
- 大翔 Hirotoうん、あの匂いが本当に苦手なんだ。Un, ano nioi ga hontō ni nigate nanda.Yeah, I really can't stand that smell.
- 結衣 Yui意外だね。私は大好きだよ。Igai da ne. Watashi wa daisuki da yo.That's surprising. I love it.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣は本当に好きだね。Yui wa hontō ni suki da ne.You really do like it, Yui.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dislike” translations and entries 嫌う, 厭う, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries 厭う, 嫌う, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
