ここが嫌い
koko ga kirai
The English phrase "I hate it here" is expressed in Japanese as ここが嫌い (koko ga kirai).
This phrase is used to express a strong dislike for the place where the speaker is currently located. You might also use variations like ここは最悪だ to say "This place is the worst."
What does it mean word for word?
The word ここ means "here" or "this place".
Which one should you use?
You can also say ここにいるのが嫌だ to specifically mean "I hate being here." For a very casual or clipped version, speakers often drop the particle and say ここ、嫌い.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, you may commonly hear the variation ここはめちゃくちゃ嫌やわ.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the statement polite and suitable for speaking to strangers or superiors, you can add です to the end to form ここが嫌いです. Conversely, adding だ instead of です creates ここが嫌いだ, which is a plain, assertive form used in casual speech or by males.
How do you pronounce it?
koko ga kirai
Did you know?
- In social situations, Japanese speakers frequently avoid saying ここが嫌い directly and instead say ここはちょっと and leave the sentence unfinished to imply their dislike.
- The word 嫌い is derived from the verb 嫌う, which historically described a feeling of repulsion or avoiding something that feels 'wrong' rather than just an emotional dislike.
- While 嫌い is the word for 'hate', Japanese speakers often use the phrase 苦手 to express a similar dislike when the feeling is based on a lack of comfort or skill rather than pure hatred.
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are at a noisy and crowded party.
- 美咲 Misaki健太、楽しんでる？Kenta, tanoshinderu?Kenta, are you having fun?
- 健太 Kentaううん、ここが嫌い。uun, koko ga kirai.No, I hate it here.
- 美咲 Misakiえっ、どうして？e, doushite?What, why?
- 健太 Kenta人が多すぎて疲れるよ。hito ga oosugite tsukareru yo.There are too many people and it's tiring.
