A1 adjective #750 am häufigsten 5 Min. Lesezeit

きらいな

I don't like that kind of food.

kiraina

Explanation at your level:

Hello! Today we learn 'きらいな' (kirai na). This word means you don't like something. Imagine you have a toy you really don't want to play with. You can say, 'That is a toy I don't like.' 'Kirai na' is used before the name of the thing you don't like. For example, 'きらいな食べ物' (kirai na tabemono) means 'food I don't like.' It's a simple way to say you don't want something or you don't enjoy it. You can use it for colors, games, or anything you don't want!

Hi there! We're looking at 'きらいな' (kirai na), which means 'dislikable' or 'hated.' This is a 'na'-adjective in Japanese. You use it to describe something you really don't like. For example, if you don't like dogs, you could say 'きらいな犬' (kirai na inu), meaning 'a dog I dislike.' It's stronger than just saying you don't prefer something; it shows a clear aversion. Remember, the 'na' comes right before the noun it describes. You can also say 'X が きらいです' (X ga kirai desu) to mean 'I dislike X.' It’s a very common phrase for expressing personal dislikes.

Let's explore 'きらいな' (kirai na), a Japanese 'na'-adjective meaning 'dislikable' or 'hated.' It's used to express a stronger sense of dislike than simply not preferring something. You'll often see it used in the structure 'Noun + が/は + きらいです' (ga/wa kirai desu) to state your dislike, such as '私は虫がきらいです' (Watashi wa mushi ga kirai desu - I dislike insects). The 'na' form, 'kirai na', directly modifies a noun, for instance, 'きらいな音' (kirai na oto - a disliked sound). This adjective is frequently used in everyday conversations to talk about personal preferences, whether it's food, activities, or even certain types of people.

Understanding 'きらいな' (kirai na) involves recognizing its role as a 'na'-adjective signifying strong aversion or dislike. It's more potent than expressions of mere preference. While 'X が きらいです' (X ga kirai desu) is common for stating personal dislikes ('I dislike X'), the 'kirai na' form directly modifies nouns, creating phrases like 'きらいな場所' (kirai na basho - a place one dislikes). Be mindful of the nuance; it implies a genuine antipathy rather than a casual lack of interest. It's frequently employed in contexts where individuals express strong negative opinions or feelings towards specific subjects, people, or situations, differentiating it from milder negative expressions.

'きらいな' (kirai na) functions as a 'na'-adjective denoting a pronounced state of dislike or aversion. Its usage extends beyond simple preference negation, implying a palpable antipathy. While the predicative form 'X が きらいです' (X ga kirai desu) is standard for expressing personal dislikes, the adjectival 'kirai na' form allows for nuanced description, such as 'きらいなタイプの人' (kirai na taipu no hito - a type of person one dislikes). In more formal or literary contexts, the underlying verb '嫌う' (kirau - to hate, detest) might appear, conveying an even stronger sentiment. Understanding the register is key; 'kirai na' is common in daily conversation but can sound quite direct in formal settings where more euphemistic language might be preferred.

The 'na'-adjective 'きらいな' (kirai na) represents a significant degree of aversion or detestation. Its etymological roots in the verb '嫌う' (kirau) suggest a historical depth of negative sentiment. While colloquially used as 'X が きらいです' (X ga kirai desu) to articulate personal dislikes, the adjectival 'kirai na' form allows for precise qualification, as in 'きらいな習慣' (kirai na shūkan - a disliked habit). Its application can range from mundane preferences (e.g., disliked foods) to more profound negative judgments. Awareness of its intensity is crucial; in certain social strata or formal discourse, it might be perceived as blunt, prompting the use of more circumlocutory expressions or the verb '憎む' (nikumu - to hate, loathe) for extreme animosity. The cultural perception of directness in expressing negative emotions also influences its deployment.

Wort in 30 Sekunden

  • きらいな (kirai na) is a Japanese adjective meaning 'dislikable' or 'hated'.
  • It's used to express a strong sense of aversion or dislike.
  • As a 'na'-adjective, it modifies nouns directly (e.g., きらいな食べ物 - disliked food).
  • Commonly used in sentences like 'X が きらいです' (I dislike X).

Hey there! Let's dive into the word 'きらいな' (kirai na). This is a super useful Japanese adjective that basically means 'dislikable' or 'hated.' Think of it as a way to express that you really, really don't like something or someone. It's not just a mild 'I don't prefer this'; it carries a stronger sense of aversion. You can use it to talk about things you find unpleasant, activities you want to avoid, or even people you don't get along with.

When you use 'きらいな', you're letting others know about your strong negative feelings. It's important to remember that it's an adjective, so it modifies a noun. For instance, you might say 'きらいな食べ物' (kirai na tabemono), meaning 'food I dislike.' It’s a common way to express personal preferences and dislikes in everyday Japanese conversation. So, next time you want to say you're not a fan of something, 'kirai na' might just be the word you need!

The word 'きらい' (kirai), from which 'きらいな' (kirai na) is derived, has an interesting origin. It's believed to have come from the verb '嫌う' (kirau), which means 'to hate,' 'to dislike,' or 'to detest.' This verb itself has roots in older Japanese forms, possibly related to concepts of aversion and rejection. The evolution of 'kirau' into the noun 'kirai' and then the adjectival form 'kirai na' shows how language adapts to express nuanced feelings more easily.

Interestingly, the kanji for '嫌う' (嫌) often includes components that suggest displeasure or a turning away. Over time, 'kirai' became a very common way to express dislike, often used in everyday speech. While 'kirai na' is the adjectival form used before a noun (like 'dislikable person'), 'kirai da' is the predicative form used at the end of a sentence (like 'I dislike it'). This linguistic journey from a verb of strong aversion to a common adjective highlights its deep integration into the Japanese lexicon for expressing personal feelings.

Using 'きらいな' (kirai na) is pretty straightforward, but knowing the right context makes it even better! As an adjective, it always comes before the noun it describes. So, you'd say 'きらいな色' (kirai na iro) for 'a color I dislike,' not '色きらいな' (iro kirai na). It's a common adjective used in daily life, from talking about food preferences to expressing feelings about activities or even people.

When you want to say 'I dislike X', you often use the structure 'X が きらいです' (X ga kirai desu) or 'X は きらいです' (X wa kirai desu). For example, '私はピーマンがきらいです' (Watashi wa pīman ga kirai desu) means 'I dislike green peppers.' The 'na' form, 'kirai na', is used when you're directly modifying a noun, like 'きらいな食べ物' (kirai na tabemono - disliked food) or 'きらいな人' (kirai na hito - a person I dislike). It's generally considered a bit more direct than saying you simply 'don't like' something, so use it when you mean it!

While 'きらいな' (kirai na) itself is a direct expression of dislike, it's often part of common phrases that convey aversion. It's less about idiomatic expressions and more about standard grammatical structures used to express this feeling.

One of the most common ways to use it is in the sentence structure: Noun + が/は + きらいです (ga/wa kirai desu). This translates to 'I dislike [Noun].' For example, '虫が嫌いです' (Mushi ga kirai desu) means 'I dislike insects.' It's a fundamental way to state your dislikes.

Another related concept is the verb '嫌う' (kirau), which means 'to hate' or 'to detest.' While 'kirai na' is the adjectival form, 'kirau' is the verb. You might hear someone say '彼は他人を嫌う傾向がある' (Kare wa tanin o kirau keikō ga aru), meaning 'He has a tendency to dislike others.' This shows a stronger, more active form of aversion.

The phrase '嫌というほど' (iya to iu hodo) is also related, meaning 'to one's heart's content' or 'more than enough,' often implying something unpleasant that you've had too much of. For instance, '嫌というほど食べた' (Iya to iu hodo tabeta) could mean 'I ate until I was sick of it.' While not directly using 'kirai na', it stems from the same root of aversion ('嫌' - iya).

Let's break down the grammar and pronunciation of 'きらいな' (kirai na). As a 'na'-adjective (also known as a quasi-adjective), it behaves a bit differently from 'i'-adjectives. When 'kirai na' modifies a noun, the 'na' stays right before the noun, like in 'きらいな本' (kirai na hon - a book I dislike). However, when it acts as a predicate at the end of a sentence, you typically use 'だ' (da) or 'です' (desu) after 'kirai', forming 'kirai da' or 'kirai desu'. For example, 'この映画はきらいだ' (Kono eiga wa kirai da - I dislike this movie).

Pronunciation is fairly straightforward. 'Ki-ra-i na'. Each syllable is pronounced clearly. The 'i' sounds are like the 'ee' in 'see'. The stress is relatively even across the syllables, without a strong emphasis on any single one. When comparing British and American English pronunciation, there aren't significant differences for this word as it's a Japanese word. However, if we were to find English words that rhyme, they might be words like 'high', 'sky', 'fly', though the vowel sound in 'kirai' is a bit longer and more distinct.

Fun Fact

The kanji '嫌' itself can be broken down to suggest 'a person's (क्टर) 'grain' (禾) 'field' (田) being 'unpleasant' (夕), hinting at agricultural hardship or displeasure.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ki.ɾa.i na/

Sounds like 'kee-rah-ee nah', with clear, distinct syllables and relatively even stress.

US /ki.ɾa.i na/

Similar to UK pronunciation, 'kee-rah-ee nah', with even stress.

Common Errors

  • Pronouncing 'ki' too sharply.
  • Merging the syllables together instead of pronouncing them distinctly.
  • Adding an unnatural stress to one syllable.

Rhymes With

sky high why my try

Difficulty Rating

Lesen 2/5

Easy to understand in simple sentences.

Writing 2/5

Straightforward when used with basic sentence structures.

Speaking 2/5

Commonly used in everyday speech.

Hören 2/5

Easily recognizable in spoken Japanese.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

好き (suki - like) です (desu - polite ending) は (wa - topic marker) が (ga - subject marker)

Learn Next

苦手 (nigatena - not good at) 嫌な (iya na - unpleasant) 嫌う (kirau - to hate verb)

Fortgeschritten

嫌悪 (ken'o - detestation) 忌避する (kihisuru - to shun) 不快 (fukai - unpleasantness)

Grammar to Know

Na-Adjectives

きらい + な + Noun

Particles は (wa) and が (ga)

〇〇はきらいです vs 〇〇がきらいです

Verb conjugation (for 嫌う)

嫌う (kirau) -> 嫌った (kiratta)

Examples by Level

1

この味はきらいな。

this taste is dislike.

'na'-adjective modifying noun

2

きらいな色です。

dislike color is.

Predicate form

3

私はきらいなゲーム。

I dislike game.

Possessive + 'na'-adjective

4

あの音はきらい。

that sound is dislike.

Informal predicate

5

きらいな犬がいます。

dislike dog exists.

'na'-adjective + existence verb

6

それはきらいな食べ物。

that dislike food.

Demonstrative + 'na'-adjective

7

きらいな本を読まない。

dislike book not read.

'na'-adjective + negative verb

8

この人はきらいな。

this person dislike.

Subject + predicate

1

私はピーマンがきらいです。

I green pepper dislike.

Subject + object marker + 'kirai desu'

2

このきらいな歌はもう聞きたくない。

this dislike song already not want to listen.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + negative desire

3

彼は暑い日がきらいらしい。

he hot days dislike seems.

Subject + predicate + 'rashii' (seems)

4

きらいな仕事はしたくない。

dislike work not want to do.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + negative volition

5

彼女は高いところがきらいだ。

she high places dislike.

Subject + predicate (informal)

6

きらいな匂いがする。

dislike smell is happening.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + sensory verb

7

そのきらいな顔を見たくない。

that dislike face not want to see.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + negative desire

8

子供たちは野菜がきらいだ。

children vegetables dislike.

Subject + object marker + predicate (informal)

1

私は、人前で話すことがきらいです。

I, in front of people speaking thing dislike.

Nominalized verb + object marker + 'kirai desu'

2

あのきらいな弁護士に頼むしかない。

that dislike lawyer rely on only have.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + expression of necessity

3

彼は、虫全般がきらいだと言っていた。

he, insects general dislike said.

Subject + object + predicate + reporting verb

4

きらいな食べ物ばかりで困っている。

dislike food only with troubled.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + expression of trouble

5

彼女は、古い習慣がきらいで、新しいことを試したがる。

she, old habits dislike, new things try wants.

Subject + 'na'-adjective + predicate + conjunction

6

そのきらいな音を聞くと、気分が悪くなる。

that dislike sound hear, feeling bad becomes.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + cause-and-effect

7

彼は、自分のきらいな分野の仕事も一生懸命やる。

he, his dislike field's work also earnestly does.

Possessive + 'na'-adjective modifying noun + adverb

8

このきらいな状況を早く終わらせたい。

this dislike situation quickly want to end.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + desire for completion

1

彼は、自分の能力不足を棚に上げて、他人の欠点をことさらにきらう傾向がある。

he, his own ability shortage shelf on putting, others' faults particularly dislikes tendency exists.

Complex sentence structure with idiomatic phrase and 'kirau' verb

2

そのきらいな雰囲気の場所には、二度と足を踏み入れたくない。

that dislike atmosphere's place to, never again foot step into not want.

'na'-adjective modifying noun phrase + strong negative volition

3

彼女は、協調性のない人間がきらいで、チームワークを重視する。

she, cooperative lacking people dislike, teamwork emphasizes.

Subject + 'na'-adjective + predicate + contrasting statement

4

このきらいな仕事を引き受けたのは、金銭的な理由からだ。

this dislike work accepted was, monetary reasons from.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + explanation of reason

5

彼は、自分のきらいな話題になると、急に口数が少なくなる。

he, his dislike topic becomes, suddenly number of words decreases.

Subject + 'na'-adjective modifying noun phrase + behavioral change

6

そのきらいな音は、聞く者の神経を逆なでする。

that dislike sound, listener's nerves irritates.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + effect on listener

7

彼は、自分のきらいなタイプの人々を巧みに避ける術を心得ている。

he, his dislike type people skillfully avoids skill knows.

Subject + 'na'-adjective modifying noun phrase + expression of skill

8

このきらいな状況を改善するため、抜本的な改革が必要だ。

this dislike situation improve for, radical reform necessary.

'na'-adjective modifying noun + statement of necessity

1

彼は、自身の不徳を棚に上げ、他者の些細な欠点をことさらに嫌悪する傾向がある。

he, his own lack of virtue shelf on raising, others' minor faults particularly detests tendency exists.

Elevated vocabulary, use of '嫌悪する' (ken'o suru - detest)

2

その陰鬱な雰囲気の場所は、訪れる者の精神を蝕むかのようで、再訪は断固として避けたい。

that gloomy atmosphere's place, visitors' spirits erodes as if, revisit firmly want to avoid.

Figurative language, 'na'-adjective with nuanced meaning, strong negative volition

3

彼女は、個々の主体性を尊重せず、画一的な思考を強いる人間を忌避する。

she, individual autonomy respects not, uniform thinking forces people detests.

Formal vocabulary ('忌避する' - kihisuru - shun, avoid), abstract concepts

4

この不本意な職務を甘受せねばならないのは、経済的困窮からの逃避が叶わぬためである。

this unwilling duty must accept is, economic hardship from escape cannot be achieved because.

Formal vocabulary ('不本意な' - fuhon'i na - unwilling, '甘受する' - kanju suru - accept), complex causal structure

5

彼は、自身のコンプレックスに触れられる話題になると、極端に防衛的になり、会話を打ち切ろうとする。

he, his complexes touched upon topic becomes, extremely defensive becomes, conversation to end tries.

Psychological nuance, idiomatic expression ('打ち切る' - uchikiru - cut off)

6

その耳障りな音響は、聴衆の心理的平穏を著しく攪乱する。

that harsh sound, audience's psychological peace significantly disturbs.

Formal vocabulary ('攪乱する' - kakuran suru - disturb, disrupt), abstract description

7

彼は、自身の好まぬタイプの人々との偶発的な遭遇を回避するため、周到な計画を立てる。

he, his disliked types people with accidental encounters avoid, meticulous plans makes.

Formal vocabulary ('好まぬ' - konomanu - disliked, '周到な' - shūtō na - meticulous), complex sentence structure

8

この憂慮すべき状況を打開するためには、既存の枠組みを超えた大胆な方策が求められる。

this worrying situation overcome for, existing framework beyond bold measures are required.

Formal vocabulary ('憂慮すべき' - yūryo subeki - worrying, '方策' - hōsaku - measure, plan), emphasis on necessity

1

彼は、自己の徳性の欠如を顧みず、他者の些細な過誤に対しては、あたかも宿痾のごとく嫌悪を表明する。

he, his own virtue's lack consider not, others' minor errors towards, as if chronic illness like detestation expresses.

Archaic/literary vocabulary ('宿痾' - shuku'a - chronic illness, '顧みず' - kaerimizu - without regard for), highly formal expression of aversion

2

その陰惨たる景観は、訪れる者の魂魄すら萎縮させるかの如く、再訪は一切容認し難い。

that grim landscape, visitors' souls even shrink makes as if, revisit is entirely unacceptable.

Highly literary/poetic language ('魂魄' - konpaku - soul, spirit; '萎縮させる' - ishuku saseru - to shrink, wither; '如く' - gotoku - like, as if), absolute rejection

3

彼女は、個人の自律性を矮小化し、画一的な思考様式を強要する権威主義的な体制を潔く拒絶する。

she, individual autonomy belittles, uniform thinking style forces authoritarian system cleanly rejects.

Specialized vocabulary ('矮小化する' - waishōka suru - to belittle; '潔く' - isagiyoku - cleanly, bravely; '権威主義的' - ken'i shugi teki - authoritarian), strong political/social commentary

4

この不本意極まりない職務を甘受せざるを得ないのは、経済的破綻という実存的危機からの逃避が、いかなる手段を用いても不可能であるという現実認識に起因する。

this extremely unwilling duty must accept cannot but is, economic collapse existential crisis from escape, whatever means uses even impossible is this reality perception stems from.

Highly philosophical/academic language ('実存的危機' - jitsuzon teki kiki - existential crisis; '起因する' - ki'in suru - to stem from), complex causal reasoning

5

彼は、自己の深層心理に根差したコンプレックスを刺激される言説に接すると、即座に自己防衛の仮面を被り、対話を拒絶する。

he, his own deep-seated complexes rooted discourse encounters, immediately self-defense mask wears, dialogue rejects.

Psycholinguistic terminology ('深層心理' - shinsō shinri - deep psychology; '言説' - gensetsu - discourse), sophisticated description of psychological defense

6

その不協和音は、聴衆の精神的均衡を著しく撹乱し、あたかもカオスの奔流に呑み込まれるかのごとき感覚を惹起する。

that dissonance, audience's mental equilibrium significantly disturbs, as if chaos's torrent swallowed into like feeling evokes.

Advanced auditory/psychological description ('不協和音' - fukyōwaon - dissonance; '精神的均衡' - seishinteki kinkō - mental equilibrium; '惹起する' - jakki suru - to evoke, cause), strong metaphorical language

7

彼は、自身の嗜好と相容れぬタイプの人々との予期せぬ遭遇を未然に防ぐため、入念な情報収集と緻密な行動計画を怠らない。

he, his preferences incompatible types people with unexpected encounters beforehand prevent, careful information gathering and meticulous action plan neglects not.

Sophisticated vocabulary ('嗜好' - shikō - preference; '相容れぬ' - ai'irenu - incompatible; '未然に防ぐ' - mizen ni fusegu - prevent beforehand; '入念な' - nyūnen na - careful, thorough; '緻密な' - chimitsu na - meticulous), complex strategic planning

8

この危機的状況を打破し、持続可能な発展軌道へと転換するためには、既存のパラダイムを根底から覆す革新的なビジョンが不可欠である。

this critical situation break through, sustainable development trajectory towards transition for, existing paradigm bottom from overturn innovative vision indispensable is.

Economic/political/sociological terminology ('パラダイム' - paradigm; '持続可能' - jizoku kanō - sustainable; '軌道' - kidō - trajectory; '不可欠' - fukeketsu - indispensable), emphasis on fundamental change

Häufige Kollokationen

きらいな食べ物
きらいな色
きらいな音
きらいな人
きらいな場所
きらいな仕事
きらいな季節
きらいなタイプ
きらいな匂い
きらいな性格

Idioms & Expressions

"〜が嫌い"

To dislike something/someone.

私は虫が嫌いです。

neutral

"嫌というほど"

More than enough; to one's heart's content (often implying something unpleasant).

嫌というほど食べたのでもう食べられない。

casual

"嫌な顔をする"

To make a disgusted or displeased face.

頼み事をしたら、彼は嫌な顔をした。

casual

"嫌気がさす"

To become fed up with; to get sick of something.

毎日の単調な仕事に嫌気がさした。

neutral

"嫌でも"

Whether you like it or not; inevitably.

嫌でもやらなければならないことがある。

casual

"嫌な予感"

A bad feeling; an ominous premonition.

何か嫌な予感がする。

neutral

Easily Confused

きらいな vs 苦手 (nigatena)

Both express a negative disposition towards something.

'Nigatena' means 'not good at' or 'weak in', implying a lack of skill or comfort, which often leads to dislike. 'Kirai na' directly means 'disliked' or 'hated'.

数学が苦手です (I'm not good at math - implies dislike but focuses on skill). 数学がきらいです (I dislike math - focuses on aversion).

きらいな vs 嫌な (iya na)

Both relate to unpleasantness and dislike.

'Iya na' often describes something that causes discomfort or unpleasantness, like an 'iya na nioi' (unpleasant smell). 'Kirai na' is more about personal aversion or hatred towards the object itself.

嫌な天気だ (The weather is unpleasant). きらいな天気だ (I dislike this weather).

きらいな vs 好き (suki)

They are direct opposites.

'Suki' means 'like', while 'kirai' means 'dislike'.

猫が好きです (I like cats). 猫がきらいです (I dislike cats).

きらいな vs 嫌悪する (ken'o suru)

Both express strong negative feelings.

'Kirai na' is a common adjective for dislike. 'Ken'o suru' is a formal verb meaning 'to detest' or 'to abhor', implying a much deeper and often more intellectual or moral revulsion.

その行為がきらいだ (I dislike that action - common). 彼はその行為を嫌悪した (He detested that action - formal/intense).

Sentence Patterns

A2

Subject + は/が + きらいです。

私は、辛い食べ物はきらいです。

A2

きらいな + Noun

これは私がきらいなタイプの車です。

A2

Noun + は/が + きらいだ。

彼は、早起きがきらいだ。

B1

きらいな + Noun + を + Verb

きらいな本を読まなければならない。

B2

Subject + は + きらいな + Noun + と + Verb

彼女はきらいな食べ物について話すのを避ける。

Wortfamilie

Nouns

嫌い Dislike, aversion (noun form)
嫌悪 Hatred, detestation (formal noun)
嫌気 Weariness, disgust, being fed up

Verbs

嫌う To hate, to dislike, to detest (verb)
嫌がる To show dislike, to be reluctant (verb)

Adjectives

きらいな Dislikable, hated (na-adjective)
嫌な Unpleasant, disagreeable (na-adjective)

Verwandt

いや Related root word, expressing negation or unpleasantness

How to Use It

Formality Scale

嫌悪する (ken'o suru - detest, formal/literary) きらいだ/です (kirai da/desu - dislike, neutral) きらいな (kirai na - dislikable, neutral) いやな (iya na - unpleasant, casual) 虫唾が走る (muzuda ga hashiru - disgusting, slang/emphatic)

Häufige Fehler

Using 'kirai na' predicatively without 'da'/'desu'. この映画がきらいだ。
As a na-adjective, 'kirai' needs 'da' or 'desu' when it comes at the end of a sentence.
Placing 'na' after the noun. きらいな食べ物
'Kirai na' must come directly before the noun it modifies.
Confusing 'kirai' with 'suki' (like). 私は猫が好きです。
'Kirai' means dislike, while 'suki' means like. They are direct opposites.
Using 'kirai' for very mild dislikes. あまり好きではないです。
'Kirai' implies a stronger aversion. For mild dislikes, 'amari suki dewa nai' (not really like) is more appropriate.
Using the verb 'kirau' incorrectly. 彼は他人を嫌う。
'Kirau' is a verb meaning 'to hate/dislike'. 'Kirai na' is an adjective. They have different grammatical functions.

Tips

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Memory Palace Trick

Imagine a 'key' that 'raids' your fridge because it dislikes all the food inside! Associate the sound 'kirai' with this image.

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When Native Speakers Use It

Native speakers commonly use 'X ga kirai desu' to state dislikes about food, weather, or activities in casual conversation.

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Cultural Insight

Directly stating 'kirai na hito' (disliked person) can be impolite. Japanese culture often prefers indirect communication, so consider context carefully.

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Grammar Shortcut

Remember: 'kirai na' + Noun (e.g., きらいな本). For the end of a sentence, use 'kirai da/desu' (e.g., 本がきらいです).

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Say It Right

Enunciate each syllable clearly: 'ki-ra-i na'. Avoid rushing or blending the sounds together.

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Don't Make This Mistake

Avoid using 'kirai na' when you mean 'not very good at'. Use 'nigatena' (苦手な) for that.

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Did You Know?

The kanji '嫌' can be visually interpreted to represent displeasure, possibly related to difficult labor or hardship.

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Study Smart

Create flashcards with 'kirai na + noun' on one side and the English translation on the other. Practice saying them aloud.

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Expressing Nuance

For mild dislikes, consider 'amari suki dewa nai' (not really like). Use 'kirai' for stronger aversion.

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Na-Adjective Rule

Always remember the 'na' connects 'kirai' to the noun it modifies. Without the noun, use 'kirai da/desu'.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'key' that 'raids' your fridge because it dislikes all the food inside!

Visual Association

Picture a person with a disgusted face ('ki-rai') turning away from a plate of food, with a big 'X' sign ('na') over it.

Word Web

Dislike Hate Aversion Unpleasant Preference Negative feeling Adjective

Herausforderung

Try making sentences about things you dislike using 'kirai na'. For example, 'I dislike rainy days.' (雨の日がきらいです。)

Wortherkunft

Japanese

Original meaning: Dislike, aversion (from the verb '嫌う' - kirau)

Kultureller Kontext

While 'kirai na' is common, using it to describe people can be considered quite direct and potentially rude in certain social situations. Japanese culture often favors more indirect ways of expressing negative feelings.

In English, we often use phrases like 'I don't like,' 'I dislike,' 'I hate,' or 'I can't stand.' The Japanese 'kirai na' falls somewhere between 'dislike' and 'hate,' depending on context and intensity.

Often appears in everyday dialogue in anime and manga to express character preferences or aversions. Commonly used in song lyrics to describe disliked people, situations, or feelings.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Talking about food preferences

  • 私は〇〇がきらいです。
  • きらいな食べ物はありますか?
  • これは私のきらいな味だ。

Describing people or personality types

  • きらいなタイプの人とは関わりたくない。
  • 彼はきらいな性格をしている。
  • そういう態度はきらいだ。

Discussing hobbies or activities

  • 運動がきらいな人もいる。
  • きらいな仕事でもやるしかない。
  • 雨の日がきらいだ。

Expressing general feelings or opinions

  • きらいな音を聞くと気分が悪くなる。
  • あのきらいな雰囲気が好きじゃない。
  • きらいな考え方だ。

Conversation Starters

"What's something you really dislike? (何がきらいですか?)"

"Is there a type of person you find difficult to get along with? (きらいなタイプの人っていますか?)"

"What kind of sounds do you find unpleasant? (どんな音がきらいですか?)"

"Do you have any disliked chores or tasks? (きらいな家事や仕事はありますか?)"

"What's a common dislike among people that you share? (多くの人がきらいなことで、あなたもきらいなものは何ですか?)"

Journal Prompts

Write about a food you used to dislike but now enjoy. How did your feelings change?

Describe a situation where you had to do something you disliked. How did you feel, and how did you cope?

Think about a personality trait you find particularly unlikable. Explain why.

Reflect on a time you encountered something that gave you a 'bad feeling' (嫌な予感). What happened?

Häufig gestellte Fragen

8 Fragen

'Kirai' means dislike or hate, while 'suki' means like or love. They are direct opposites.

Yes, but it's quite direct and can sound harsh. 'Kirei na hito' means 'a person I dislike'. Often, softer expressions are preferred when talking about people.

'Kirai' itself is often treated as a noun or the stem of the na-adjective 'kirai na'. The verb form is 'kirau' (to dislike/hate).

You can say 'それがきらいです' (Sore ga kirai desu) or 'それはきらいだ' (Sore wa kirai da).

'Na' indicates that 'kirai' is functioning as a na-adjective, modifying a noun that follows it.

Yes, 'kirai' generally implies a stronger dislike or aversion than 'amari suki dewa nai' (I don't really like it).

Yes, you can use it for abstract concepts like 'きらいな考え' (kirai na kangae - a disliked idea) or 'きらいな状況' (kirai na jōkyō - a disliked situation).

Yes, depending on the intensity and context, you can use '嫌悪する' (ken'o suru - detest), '憎む' (nikumu - to hate), or even stronger colloquialisms.

Teste dich selbst

fill blank A1

私はピーマンが ______。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: きらい

The sentence means 'I dislike green peppers.' 'きらい' (kirai) means dislike.

multiple choice A2

What does 'きらいな犬' mean?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: A disliked dog

'きらいな' (kirai na) means disliked, and '犬' (inu) means dog.

true false B1

If someone says 'きらいな音', they mean they like the sound.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

'きらいな' means disliked, so 'きらいな音' means a sound that is disliked.

match pairs B1

Word

Bedeutung

All matched!

These phrases use 'kirai na' to describe something or someone that is disliked.

sentence order B2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

The correct sentence is '私は虫がきらいです' (Watashi wa mushi ga kirai desu), meaning 'I dislike insects.'

fill blank B2

彼は、自分の ______ タイプの人とは話したがらない。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: きらいな

The sentence means 'He doesn't want to talk to people of the type he dislikes.' 'きらいな' (kirai na) fits the context of dislike.

multiple choice C1

Which phrase best conveys a strong sense of detestation?

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 嫌悪する

'嫌悪する' (ken'o suru) means to detest or abhor, indicating a much stronger negative feeling than the others.

true false C1

The adjective 'kirai na' is always used in casual conversation and never in formal writing.

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: Falsch

While common in casual speech, 'kirai na' and its related forms can appear in formal writing, though often with more nuanced or indirect phrasing depending on the context.

sentence order C2

Tippe auf die Wörter unten, um den Satz zu bilden
Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort:

The correct order forms 'このきらいな状況を改善するために' (Kono kirai na jōkyō o kaizen suru tame ni), meaning 'In order to improve this disliked situation.'

fill blank C2

彼は、自身の不徳を顧みず、他者の些細な欠点をことさらに ______。

Richtig! Nicht ganz. Richtige Antwort: 嫌悪する

The context suggests strong negative judgment towards others' flaws, making '嫌悪する' (ken'o suru - to detest) the most appropriate verb.

Ergebnis: /10

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