Which one should you use?
While 数学が嫌いです expresses a direct dislike, the phrase 私は数学が苦手です is a polite alternative that translates to "I am not good at math," which can be used to subtly express a dislike or a struggle with the subject.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The level of formality can be adjusted by changing the ending. The phrase 数学が嫌いだ replaces the polite です with だ to create a more blunt, informal statement suitable for friends or for talking to oneself. In very casual settings, the copula can be dropped entirely, resulting in just 数学が嫌い.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, the casual phrase オレ、数学がキライやねん。 is used to say "I hate math."
How does it change in a sentence?
In casual conversation, the copula (such as です or だ) is often dropped entirely, leaving just the subject and the adjective, resulting in 数学が嫌い.
How do you pronounce it?
suugaku ga kirai desu
Did you know?
- Japanese students often use the phrase 数学アレルギー 'math allergy' to describe a psychological dread of the subject that goes beyond simple dislike.
- In Japanese, the word 嫌い (kirai) is actually a 'na-adjective' rather than a verb, meaning it functions grammatically more like the English word 'unpleasant' than the verb 'to hate'.
- The word 嫌い 'dislike' comes from a root meaning 'to be reluctant' or 'to avoid', shifting the focus from the object being bad to the speaker's feeling of avoidance.
Examples in context
- この数学の宿題、本当に嫌いだよ！I really hate this math homework!
- 数学がキライやねん！I hate math!
- 数学が嫌いです。sūgaku ga kirai desu.I hate math.
- 正直、数学が嫌いです。shōjiki, sūgaku ga kirai desu.To be honest, I hate math.
Example conversation
Two students are talking about their school subjects.
- 蓮 Ren蓮はどの科目が好きですか？Ren wa dono kamoku ga suki desu ka?Ren, which subject do you like?
- 陽葵 Himari歴史は好きですが、数学が嫌いです。Rekishi wa suki desu ga, suugaku ga kirai desu.I like history, but I hate math.
- 蓮 Ren私も同じです。難しいですよね。Watashi mo onaji desu. Muzukashii desu yo ne.I'm the same. It's difficult, isn't it?
- 陽葵 Himariはい、本当に苦手です。Hai, hontou ni nigate desu.Yes, I'm really bad at it.
