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B1 noun #7,000 most common 10 min read

嫌気

kenke Top 7,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 嫌気 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 嫌気 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '嫌気' (iyake) yourself. It is a bit too advanced for beginners. Instead, you usually learn words like '嫌い' (kirai) to say you don't like something, or '疲れました' (tsukaremashita) to say you are tired. If you see '嫌気' in a sentence, just think of it as a very strong way of saying 'I don't like this anymore' or 'I am very tired of this.' In Japanese culture, people often try to be polite, so they might not say 'I hate this' directly. Instead, they might use words like this to show they are unhappy in a more subtle, internal way. For now, focus on simple likes and dislikes. If you want to express a similar feeling, you can say 'mou iya' (I've had enough), which is a simpler version of the sentiment behind 'iyake'.

At the A2 level, you are starting to learn how to express your feelings more clearly. While '嫌気' (iyake) is still a bit difficult, you might hear it in dramas or see it in simple news stories. It is important to know that it is a noun. You might see the phrase '嫌気が差す' (iyake ga sasu). This is a set phrase. Think of it like the English phrase 'to get fed up.' At this level, you should focus on the 'ni' particle that comes before it. For example: 'Benkyou ni iyake ga sasu' (I'm getting fed up with studying). You can use this when you have been doing something for a long time and you are losing your energy. It is a step up from 'kirai' because it shows that you tried hard before you started to dislike it. It's about the feeling of losing your motivation.

At the B1 level, you should be able to recognize and use '嫌気' (iyake) in common set phrases. This is the target level for this word. You should understand that 'iyake' describes a deep-seated weariness that comes from a long-term situation. You should practice using the pattern '[Noun] に嫌気が差す'. This is very useful for talking about work, school, or personal habits. For example, if you are tired of living in a small apartment, you could say 'Semai heya ni iyake ga sashita.' You should also begin to notice how this word is used in business contexts. If you read a simple Japanese newspaper, you might see it used to describe why people are selling stocks. It's a key word for describing burnout, which is a common topic in intermediate Japanese conversation and reading materials.

At the B2 level, you are expected to understand the nuances between '嫌気' (iyake) and its synonyms like 'うんざり' (unzari) or '飽きる' (akiru). You should be able to use 'iyake' in more complex sentences, perhaps using the causative or passive forms if necessary, though the active 'ga sasu' is most common. You should also be comfortable with the financial usage of the word, where it acts as a suru-verb (嫌気する). For instance, 'Shijou wa fukeiki o iyake shite iru' (The market is reacting negatively to the recession). At this level, you should also be able to use the word to describe psychological states in writing, such as in a journal entry or an essay about social issues. You understand that 'iyake' implies a transition from tolerance to a desire for withdrawal.

At the C1 level, you should have a deep grasp of the literary and psychological implications of '嫌気' (iyake). You can use it to discuss existential themes or complex social phenomena like 'modern-day burnout' or 'social withdrawal' (hikikomori). You should be able to recognize it in classical-style modern literature where it might describe a character's 'ennui' or 'world-weariness.' You should also be familiar with compound words and more obscure collocations. You can distinguish between the 'iyake' of a tired worker and the 'iyake' of a cynical intellectual. Your use of the word should reflect an understanding of its weight—it is not a word used lightly, and using it correctly adds a layer of sophistication to your Japanese, showing that you understand the internal emotional landscape of Japanese speakers.

At the C2 level, you use '嫌気' (iyake) with the precision of a native speaker. You understand its historical roots and how its usage has evolved from a purely emotional term to a technical term in economics and social science. You can use it in high-level debates about market sentiment, or in literary analysis to describe the 'nihilistic iyake' found in certain authors' works. You are also aware of how the word might be used ironically or in hyperbole in certain subcultures. Your mastery includes knowing exactly when *not* to use it, opting for even more specific terms like '辟易' (hekieki) or '倦怠' (kentai) when the context demands it. You can navigate the most formal business reports and the most abstract philosophical texts where 'iyake' is used to describe the fundamental human reaction to a repetitive or meaningless existence.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

嫌気 in 30 Seconds

A noun meaning distaste, weariness, or being fed up with a situation.
Commonly used in the set phrase 'iyake ga sasu' to describe burnout.
Used in financial contexts to describe bearish sentiment or shunning assets.
Implies a deep-seated feeling of exhaustion rather than a simple dislike.

The Japanese word 嫌気 (iyake) is a nuanced noun that captures a specific psychological state: the moment when a person begins to feel a profound sense of distaste, weariness, or aversion toward a situation, person, or activity that they previously tolerated or even enjoyed. It is not merely a simple dislike, which would be expressed by 嫌い (kirai), but rather a cumulative feeling of being fed up. The character 嫌 (iya) signifies dislike or unpleasantness, while 気 (ke/ki) refers to a spirit, atmosphere, or a localized 'feeling' within the body. Together, they describe a 'feeling of unpleasantness' that often arises from repetition, stagnation, or continuous stress.

Core Nuance: The feeling of 'having had enough' and wanting to withdraw or quit.
Common Collocation: It is most frequently paired with the verb 差す (sasu), forming the phrase 嫌気が差す (iyake ga sasu), meaning to become weary of or to lose interest in something.

毎日の残業に嫌気が差して、仕事を辞めることにした。
(Mainichi no zangyou ni iyake ga sashite, shigoto o yameru koto ni shita.)
I got fed up with the daily overtime and decided to quit my job.

In social contexts, this word is often used to describe the breakdown of relationships or the burnout associated with a career. It implies a loss of motivation that comes from within. Interestingly, in the world of finance and stock trading, 嫌気 is used to describe 'bearish' sentiment or selling pressure caused by negative news. When investors 'feel 嫌気' toward a particular stock, they begin to sell it off because they no longer believe in its value or are tired of its poor performance. This transition from a personal psychological state to a market term shows the versatility of the word in describing the act of turning away from something.

市場は不透明な経済状況に嫌気を感じている。
(Shijou wa futoumei na keizai joukyou ni iyake o kanjite iru.)
The market is showing signs of aversion to the uncertain economic situation.

Culturally, Japanese people value endurance (gaman), so admitting to 嫌気 often carries a weight of finality. It suggests that the person has tried their best to endure but has finally reached their limit. This word is less aggressive than 'hate' (daikirai) but more profound in its implication of emotional exhaustion. It is a quiet, internal realization that one can no longer continue on the current path. Whether it is a hobby that has become a chore or a city that has lost its charm, 嫌気 marks the end of an emotional investment.

Emotional Depth: It captures the internal fatigue that leads to external detachment.

To use 嫌気 (iyake) correctly, you must master its grammatical partners. The most vital construction is [Noun] + に (ni) + 嫌気が差す (iyake ga sasu). Here, the particle 'ni' indicates the target of your weariness. The verb 'sasu' literally means 'to shine' or 'to pierce,' suggesting that the feeling of distaste has suddenly or sharply entered your mind. It is an involuntary feeling; you don't 'do' iyake, it 'happens' to you. This makes it a very natural way to describe burnout or the slow erosion of patience.

都会の喧騒に嫌気が差して、田舎に移住した。
(Tokai no kensou ni iyake ga sashite, inaka ni ijuu shita.)
I got sick of the hustle and bustle of the city and moved to the countryside.

Grammar Pattern 1: [Target] + に + 嫌気が差す (To become fed up with...)
Grammar Pattern 2: [Target] + を + 嫌気する (To dislike/shun - often used in finance)

Another common usage involves the verb 'sasu' in its potential or continuous forms. For example, 嫌気が差し始める (iyake ga sashi-hajimeru) means 'starting to get fed up.' This is useful for describing a gradual process of losing interest. In more formal or written contexts, particularly financial news, you will see 嫌気 used as a suru-verb (嫌気する) or as a compound noun like 嫌気売り (iyake-uri), which refers to selling off stocks due to a lack of confidence. This demonstrates the transition from a personal emotion to a collective market behavior.

彼は自分の不甲斐なさに嫌気が差しているようだ。
(Kare wa jibun no fugainasa ni iyake ga sashite iru you da.)
It seems he is getting disgusted with his own worthlessness.

When describing someone else, you might use 嫌気が差している (iyake ga sashite iru) to describe their current state. If you want to describe a person who is generally prone to getting bored or fed up easily, you might use the adjective-like phrase 嫌気が差しやすい (iyake ga sashi-yasui). In literature, the word is often used to convey a sense of existential dread or world-weariness (ennui). It is a powerful word because it suggests that the dislike isn't just a whim; it is a deep-seated reaction to a repeated negative experience.

投資家は円高を嫌気して株を売った。
(Toushika wa endaka o iyake shite kabu o utta.)
Investors sold stocks out of distaste for the strong yen.

Common Contexts: Workplace burnout, marital dissatisfaction, long-term hobbies, and financial markets.

You will encounter 嫌気 (iyake) in several distinct environments, each giving the word a slightly different flavor. The most common place is in private conversations among friends or family, particularly when someone is venting about their job or a long-term commitment. In these settings, it sounds like a confession of emotional exhaustion. If a friend says, 'Shigoto ni iyake ga sashichatta,' they are telling you they are at a breaking point and might quit soon. It carries more weight than just saying 'I'm tired' (tsukareta).

「最近、彼との関係に嫌気が差してきたんだ。」
(Saikin, kare to no kankei ni iyake ga sashite kita n da.)
'Lately, I've started to feel fed up with my relationship with him.'

Domain: Personal Life: Used to express deep dissatisfaction with repetitive life situations or relationships.

The second major domain is the business and financial news. This is where the word takes on a more technical, yet still descriptive, role. News anchors and financial analysts use 'iyake' to explain why the stock market is falling. For instance, if a company releases a bad earnings report, the headline might read 'Kessan o iyake shita uri' (Selling caused by distaste for the financial results). In this context, it describes a logical reaction of investors shunning a particular asset. It is a very common term in the Nikkei news or business journals like the Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

米国株の下落を嫌気して、東京市場も値を下げた。
(Beikokukabu no geraku o iyake shite, Toukyou shijou mo ne o sageta.)
Aversion to the fall in US stocks caused the Tokyo market to drop as well.

Thirdly, you will find 'iyake' in literature and psychological essays. Authors use it to describe the 'ennui' of modern life—the feeling that nothing has meaning or that everything is a boring repetition. It is a key word in works that explore the human condition and the desire to escape from society. In these contexts, it is often paired with words for 'empty' (utsuro) or 'despair' (zetsubou). Understanding this word allows you to grasp the subtle emotional shifts in Japanese storytelling, where characters often reach a silent consensus that they can no longer endure their current reality.

Domain: Literature: Describes existential weariness or a character's internal breaking point.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make is confusing 嫌気 (iyake) with the simple adjective 嫌い (kirai). While both deal with dislike, 'kirai' is a preference (I don't like broccoli), whereas 'iyake' is a state of mind resulting from experience (I'm fed up with this job). You cannot say 'Broccoli ni iyake ga sasu' unless you have been forced to eat broccoli every single day for a year and have reached an emotional breaking point. Using 'iyake' for simple preferences sounds overly dramatic and strange to native speakers.

❌ 私は雨に嫌気です。
✅ 私は雨に嫌気が差しています。
(I am fed up with the rain.)

Mistake 1: Grammatical Structure: Using 'iyake' as a direct adjective. Remember it is a noun that usually needs 'ga sasu' or 'o kanjiru'.

Another error is using the wrong particle. Learners often try to use 'ga' or 'o' with the target of the dislike, but when using the phrase 嫌気が差す, the target must be marked with に (ni). For example, 'Shigoto ga iyake ga sasu' is incorrect; it must be 'Shigoto ni iyake ga sasu'. This is because 'sasu' (to pierce/enter) is an intransitive verb in this context, and the feeling is 'piercing into' the target situation. In financial contexts, however, you can use 'o' with 'iyake suru' (e.g., 'Endaka o iyake suru'), which can further confuse learners. Stick to the 'ni ... ga sasu' pattern for personal feelings to be safe.

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse 嫌気 (iyake) with 寒気 (samuke - a chill) or 吐き気 (hakike - nausea) because they all end in 'ke'. While they all describe physical or mental 'feelings,' they are not interchangeable. 'Iyake' is purely psychological distaste. If you say you have 'iyake' when you mean you have a fever, people will think you are philosophically tired of your life rather than physically ill. Always ensure you are using 'iyake' to describe a loss of interest or motivation, not a physical symptom.

❌ 風邪で嫌気がします。
✅ 風邪で寒気がします。
(I feel a chill because of a cold.)

Mistake 2: Physical vs. Mental: Do not confuse 'iyake' with physical sensations like chills or nausea.

To truly master 嫌気 (iyake), it helps to see how it sits alongside its synonyms. Each word has a slightly different shade of meaning. For example, 飽きる (akiru) means 'to get bored' or 'to lose interest' because something has become repetitive or predictable. While 'akiru' is often used for light things like food or games, 'iyake' is heavier and implies a deeper emotional rejection. You might 'akiru' (get bored) of a video game, but you 'iyake ga sasu' (get fed up) with a toxic workplace.

Comparison: 嫌気 vs. 飽きる (Akiru): Akiru is 'boredom from repetition'; Iyake is 'aversion from accumulation of stress'.
Comparison: 嫌気 vs. 嫌悪 (Ken'o): Ken'o is a strong 'hatred' or 'loathing' often based on moral or physical disgust. Iyake is more about weariness.

Another close relative is うんざり (unzari). This is an adverbial expression that describes the feeling of being completely fed up or disgusted. In many casual conversations, 'unzari suru' and 'iyake ga sasu' can be used interchangeably. However, 'unzari' feels a bit more colloquial and immediate. If someone keeps talking and won't stop, you might feel 'unzari.' If you have worked at a company for five years and the culture is soul-crushing, you feel 'iyake ga sasu.' The latter suggests a more permanent internal shift.

彼の自慢話にはもううんざりだ。
(Kare no jimanbanashi ni wa mou unzari da.)
I'm already fed up with his bragging.

For formal writing or psychological contexts, you might see 倦怠 (kentai). This word refers to fatigue, languor, or boredom, particularly in long-term relationships (e.g., 倦怠期 - kentaiki, the 'cooling off' period in a marriage). While 'iyake' is the feeling of distaste, 'kentai' is the state of being worn out. Finally, there is 辟易 (hekieki), which is a more literary term for being stumped, nonplussed, or thoroughly fed up by something overwhelming. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact level of intensity and formality for your Japanese expression.

Synonym Summary

飽きる: Boredom (light).
うんざり: Fed up (colloquial/immediate).
嫌悪: Loathing (strong/moral).
倦怠: Languor (formal/relationship-based).

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The character 嫌 contains the radical for 'woman' (女) and 'simultaneous/consecutive' (兼), originally suggesting a complicated or fussy feeling, which evolved into 'dislike'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK i.ja.ke

US i.jɑ.kɛ

Flat (Heiban type) in Japanese pitch accent, meaning the pitch stays relatively level after the first syllable.

Rhymes With

Sake (rice wine) Take (bamboo) Make (defeat) Kake (bet) Dake (only) Wake (reason) Hake (brush) Yake (desperation)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ya' as 'ye'.
Stressing the first syllable too hard.
Confusing with 'iyake' (different pitch accent for other words).
Confusing with 'iyage' (incorrect).
Mixing up the 'ke' sound with 'ki'.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but the usage in finance is specific.

Writing 4/5

The kanji for 'iya' (嫌) has many strokes and is easy to forget.

Speaking 3/5

The phrase 'iyake ga sasu' is easy to memorize.

Listening 3/5

Easy to hear but can be confused with other 'ke' words.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

嫌い気持ち差す仕事飽きる

Learn Next

倦怠辟易嫌悪不信感限界

Advanced

虚無感厭世的五月病燃え尽き症候群

Grammar to Know

The particle 'ni' with 'iyake ga sasu'

都会の生活**に**嫌気が差す。

Nominalizing verbs with 'no' to use with 'iyake'

毎日同じことを繰り返す**の**に嫌気が差した。

Using 'te' to connect 'iyake' to a result

嫌気が差し**て**やめてしまった。

The 'suru' verb form 'iyake suru' in formal contexts

投資家は円高を嫌気**した**。

The potential form 'iyake ga sashi-uru' (can get fed up)

誰でも仕事に嫌気が差しうる。

Examples by Level

これは嫌です。

I don't like this.

A1 uses 'iya' (adjective) instead of 'iyake' (noun).

仕事が嫌いです。

I hate my job.

Use 'kirai' for simple dislike.

もう疲れました。

I'm already tired.

Tsukaremashita is a basic way to show weariness.

勉強は大変です。

Studying is hard.

Taihen describes a difficult situation.

毎日同じです。

Every day is the same.

Describing repetition that leads to 'iyake'.

外に出たくないです。

I don't want to go out.

Expressing the desire to withdraw.

何もしたくないです。

I don't want to do anything.

A symptom of feeling 'iyake'.

学校が嫌になりました。

I've come to dislike school.

Iya ni naru is the simpler version of 'iyake ga sasu'.

雨の日に嫌気が差します。

I get fed up with rainy days.

Introducing the noun 'iyake' with 'ga sasu'.

同じ仕事に嫌気が差した。

I got fed up with the same work.

Using 'ni' to mark the cause.

彼は勉強に嫌気が差している。

He is getting tired of studying.

Continuous state 'shite iru'.

都会の生活に嫌気が差したの？

Did you get sick of city life?

Asking a question about feelings.

練習に嫌気が差してやめた。

I got fed up with practice and quit.

Showing a result of the feeling.

毎日が忙しくて嫌気が差す。

I'm so busy every day I get fed up.

Connecting a reason with 'te'.

この古い車に嫌気が差した。

I'm fed up with this old car.

Noun + ni + iyake.

料理を作るのに嫌気が差した。

I got tired of cooking.

Using a verb nominalized with 'no'.

単調な生活に嫌気が差してきた。

I've started to get fed up with my monotonous life.

Sashite-kita shows a gradual change.

彼は今の人間関係に嫌気が差している。

He is disgusted with his current relationships.

B1 level focus on social contexts.

会社の古い体質に嫌気が差した。

I got fed up with the company's old-fashioned ways.

Abstract nouns like 'taishitsu' (nature/constitution).

投資家は円安を嫌気している。

Investors are shunning the weak yen.

Using 'iyake' as a suru-verb in business.

自分の不甲斐なさに嫌気が差すことがある。

There are times when I get disgusted with my own weakness.

Internal psychological use.

渋滞に嫌気が差して、電車で行くことにした。

Fed up with the traffic jam, I decided to go by train.

Decision making based on 'iyake'.

政治の腐敗に嫌気が差している国民が多い。

Many citizens are fed up with political corruption.

Social/Political context.

趣味だったカメラにさえ嫌気が差してしまった。

I even got fed up with my hobby, photography.

Using 'sae' to emphasize the extent.

市場は世界情勢の不安定さを嫌気した。

The market reacted negatively to the instability of the global situation.

Formal financial reporting style.

長引く不況に、多くの経営者が嫌気を感じている。

Many business owners are feeling a sense of aversion to the prolonged recession.

Using 'iyake o kanjiru'.

彼は世の中の不条理に嫌気が差して山に籠もった。

He got sick of the world's absurdities and secluded himself in the mountains.

Literary/Dramatic context.

毎回の言い訳に嫌気が差して、彼女と別れた。

I got fed up with her constant excuses and broke up with her.

Relationship context.

過度な競争社会に嫌気が差す若者が増えている。

The number of young people getting fed up with the excessively competitive society is increasing.

Societal analysis.

業績悪化を嫌気した売りが先行している。

Selling triggered by distaste for worsening business results is taking the lead.

Compound noun 'iyake-uri' implied.

彼は自分の才能の限界に嫌気が差し始めている。

He is starting to feel disgusted with the limits of his own talent.

Nuance of self-reflection.

都会の喧騒を嫌気して、週末は静かな村で過ごす。

Shunning the city noise, I spend weekends in a quiet village.

Using 'iyake shite' as a reason.

現代社会の空虚さに嫌気が差すのは、ある種の知性ゆえかもしれない。

Getting fed up with the emptiness of modern society might be due to a certain kind of intelligence.

Philosophical/Intellectual tone.

株価は増税への懸念を嫌気して、大幅に続落した。

Stock prices continued to fall sharply, shunning concerns over tax hikes.

Advanced financial reporting.

彼は組織の腐敗に嫌気が差し、独り静かに野に下った。

He became disgusted with the corruption of the organization and retired quietly to the countryside.

Literary expression 'no ni kudaru'.

あまりの理不尽さに嫌気が差し、言葉を失った。

I was so fed up with the sheer unreasonableness that I was at a loss for words.

Emphasizing intensity with 'amari no'.

倦怠期というよりは、お互いの存在そのものに嫌気が差しているようだ。

Rather than a cooling-off period, it seems they are fed up with each other's very existence.

Comparing 'kentai' and 'iyake'.

消費者は企業の不誠実な対応を嫌気し、ブランド離れが進んでいる。

Consumers are shunning the company's insincere response, leading to brand abandonment.

Marketing/Business analysis.

虚栄心に満ちた社交界に嫌気が差し、彼は旅に出た。

Disgusted with the vanity-filled social circles, he set out on a journey.

Classic narrative style.

自己嫌悪と現状への嫌気が混ざり合い、彼は動けなくなっていた。

A mixture of self-loathing and distaste for his current situation had rendered him unable to move.

Complex psychological state.

市場のセンチメントは、地政学リスクの長期化を嫌気する方向に傾いている。

Market sentiment is leaning toward shunning the prolonged geopolitical risks.

High-level economic analysis.

実存的な嫌気を抱えつつ、彼は日々のルーチンを淡々とこなした。

While harboring an existential distaste, he went through his daily routines indifferently.

Existentialist literary tone.

官僚機構の硬直性を嫌気した有能な人材が、次々と民間へと流出している。

Talented individuals, fed up with the rigidity of the bureaucracy, are leaking into the private sector one after another.

Sociopolitical commentary.

その作品は、文明の進歩に対する根源的な嫌気を描いている。

The work depicts a fundamental aversion to the progress of civilization.

Art/Literary criticism.

彼は成功の裏にある虚飾に嫌気が差し、名声を捨てた。

He got disgusted with the ostentation behind success and threw away his fame.

Sophisticated narrative.

投資家が将来の不透明感を嫌気し、安全資産への逃避が加速している。

As investors shun future uncertainty, the flight to safe-haven assets is accelerating.

Professional financial terminology.

日常という名の檻に嫌気が差し、彼は幻想の世界に逃げ場を求めた。

Fed up with the cage called daily life, he sought a refuge in the world of fantasy.

Metaphorical literary style.

その政策は、国民の政治不信と嫌気をさらに助長する結果となった。

That policy resulted in further encouraging the public's distrust and aversion to politics.

Political impact analysis.

Common Collocations

嫌気が差す

嫌気を感じる

嫌気売り

嫌気される

嫌気が差し始める

嫌気を催す

嫌気を抱く

〜を嫌気して

根源的な嫌気

世俗への嫌気

Common Phrases

世の中に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with the world or society.

不公平な世の中に嫌気が差した。

自分に嫌気が差す

— To be disgusted with oneself.

嘘をつく自分に嫌気が差す。

今の生活に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with one's current lifestyle.

代わり映えのしない今の生活に嫌気が差す。

人混みに嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with crowds.

都会の人混みに嫌気が差した。

ルーチンワークに嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with routine work.

毎日のルーチンワークに嫌気が差す。

政治に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with politics.

政治家の汚職に嫌気が差す。

都会に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with city life.

都会に嫌気が差して田舎に行く。

長い話に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with a long speech/story.

校長の長い話に嫌気が差した。

待ち時間に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with waiting.

アトラクションの長い待ち時間に嫌気が差した。

勉強に嫌気が差す

— To be fed up with studying.

試験勉強に嫌気が差してきた。

Often Confused With

嫌気 vs 嫌い (kirai)

Kirai is a preference; Iyake is a state of being fed up.

嫌気 vs 飽きる (akiru)

Akiru is boredom from repetition; Iyake is aversion from stress.

嫌気 vs 寒気 (samuke)

Samuke is a physical chill; Iyake is psychological distaste.

Idioms & Expressions

"嫌気が差す"

— To become weary of something; to lose interest or motivation.

仕事に嫌気が差す。

Neutral

"嫌気を食う"

— To be shunned or rejected (less common).

世間に嫌気を食う。

Literary

"嫌気がさして逃げ出す"

— To run away because one is fed up.

ブラック企業に嫌気がさして逃げ出した。

Informal

"嫌気をさすような"

— Something that makes one feel fed up.

嫌気をさすような雨が続く。

Neutral

"嫌気もささず"

— Without getting tired of it.

彼は嫌気もささず練習を続けた。

Neutral

"嫌気がさすほど"

— To the point of being fed up.

嫌気がさすほど同じ曲を聴いた。

Neutral

"嫌気がさす一方だ"

— Getting more and more fed up.

彼の態度に嫌気がさす一方だ。

Neutral

"嫌気がさすのも無理はない"

— It's no wonder one is fed up.

こんな環境なら嫌気がさすのも無理はない。

Neutral

"嫌気がさす前に"

— Before getting fed up.

嫌気がさす前に休憩しよう。

Neutral

"嫌気がさすきっかけ"

— The trigger for getting fed up.

嫌気がさすきっかけは些細なことだった。

Neutral

Easily Confused

嫌気 vs 嫌悪 (ken'o)

Both mean dislike.

Ken'o is much stronger, like loathing or disgust. Iyake is more about being tired of something.

犯罪者に嫌悪感を抱く (I feel loathing for the criminal).

嫌気 vs 退屈 (taikutsu)

Both relate to boredom.

Taikutsu means having nothing to do. Iyake means being tired of what you ARE doing.

暇で退屈だ (I'm bored because I have nothing to do).

嫌気 vs 辟易 (hekieki)

Both mean being fed up.

Hekieki is used when something is overwhelming or annoying to the point of being stumped.

彼の長話には辟易する (I'm nonplussed by his long talk).

嫌気 vs 倦怠 (kentai)

Both mean weariness.

Kentai is more about the physical or relational state of fatigue/boredom.

倦怠期を迎える (Entering a period of relationship languor).

嫌気 vs 嫌疑 (kengi)

Similar sound.

Kengi means 'suspicion' in a legal or criminal sense.

嫌疑がかかる (To be under suspicion).

Sentence Patterns

Noun に嫌気が差す

満員電車に嫌気が差す。

Noun に嫌気が差して、Verb-ta

仕事に嫌気が差して、辞めた。

Verb-no に嫌気が差す

待たされるのに嫌気が差す。

Noun を嫌気した Noun

円高を嫌気した売り。

Noun への嫌気

自分への嫌気が募る。

Noun からの嫌気

世俗からの嫌気。

Noun に嫌気が差し始める

生活に嫌気が差し始める。

〜を嫌気する方向に傾く

市場はリスクを嫌気する方向に傾く。

Word Family

Nouns

嫌 (iya - dislike)

気 (ki/ke - spirit/feeling)

嫌気 (iyake - distaste)

嫌悪 (ken'o - loathing)

Verbs

嫌う (kirau - to hate)

嫌気が差す (iyake ga sasu - to get fed up)

嫌気する (iyake suru - to shun)

Adjectives

嫌な (iya na - unpleasant)

嫌らしい (iyarashii - disgusting/lewd)

飽き (aki - boredom)

倦怠 (kentai - fatigue)

退屈 (taikutsu - boredom)

嫌悪感 (ken'okan - sense of loathing)

嫌気売り (iyakeuri - panic selling)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in daily conversation and very common in financial news.

Common Mistakes

私は嫌気です。 → 私は嫌気が差しています。
'Iyake' is a noun, not an adjective. You need 'ga sasu' to describe the state.
仕事が嫌気が差す。 → 仕事に嫌気が差す。
The target of the weariness must be marked with 'ni', not 'ga'.
嫌気な人。 → 嫌な人。
To describe a person as unpleasant, use the adjective 'iya na'. 'Iyake' is the feeling inside you.
風邪で嫌気がする。 → 風邪で寒気がする。
Don't confuse 'iyake' (distaste) with 'samuke' (chills).
嫌気を飽きる。 → 仕事に飽きる / 仕事に嫌気が差す。
Don't combine 'iyake' and 'akiru'. They are separate ways to express similar feelings.

Tips

The 'Ni' Rule

Always remember that the thing you are tired of takes the 'ni' particle when using 'iyake ga sasu'.

Experience Matters

Only use 'iyake' when your dislike comes from a long-term experience or repeated stress.

Market Moods

In financial news, 'iyake' explains *why* the market is moving down. It's a key word for JLPT N1/N2 reading.

Politeness

Saying 'iyake ga sashita' about a person's gift or help is very rude. Use it for situations or general atmosphere instead.

Ennui

Think of 'iyake' as the Japanese version of 'ennui' when you see it in novels.

Sasu vs Suru

Personal = 'ga sasu'. Financial/Formal = 'suru' or 'o iyake shite'.

Iya + Ke

Iya (No) + Ke (Feeling) = The 'No-more-feeling'.

Sighing

This word is often accompanied by a sigh in real conversation. It conveys the weight of the feeling.

Kanji Practice

Practice the kanji 嫌 (iya). It's used in many important words like 嫌悪 and 嫌疑.

Context Clues

If you hear 'iyake' and 'kabu' (stocks) in the same sentence, it's definitely about market sentiment.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Iya' (No!) and 'Ke' (Feeling). It's the 'No-Feeling' you get when you've had enough of something.

Visual Association

Imagine a person pushing away a giant pile of paperwork with a look of total exhaustion.

Word Web

Work Burnout Relationship Stock Market Boredom Fed up Withdrawal Stress

Challenge

Try to use 'iyake ga sasu' in a sentence about a habit you want to quit today.

Word Origin

Comes from the combination of 嫌 (iya), meaning unpleasant or disagreeable, and 気 (ke), which in this context refers to a feeling or a state of being. It has been used since the middle ages to describe a growing sense of dislike.

Original meaning: A feeling of being uncomfortable or having a premonition of something unpleasant.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese compound).

Cultural Context

It is a strong word. Admitting 'iyake' toward a person can be very hurtful as it implies a total loss of interest.

Closest equivalents are 'fed up', 'sick and tired', or 'weary'. 'Burnout' is a common modern translation in work contexts.

Used in Natsume Soseki's novels to describe modern intellectual boredom. Commonly seen in Nikkei Shimbun headlines.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Office

残業に嫌気が差す
上司に嫌気が差す
通勤に嫌気が差す
会議に嫌気が差す

In a Relationship

相手の態度に嫌気が差す
喧嘩ばかりで嫌気が差す
嘘に嫌気が差す
束縛に嫌気が差す

Stock Market

株価下落を嫌気する
円高を嫌気する
決算内容を嫌気する
先行きの不透明感を嫌気する

Personal Habits

自分のだらしなさに嫌気が差す
ダイエットに嫌気が差す
禁煙の辛さに嫌気が差す
同じ食事に嫌気が差す

Social Issues

社会の不条理に嫌気が差す
政治の混乱に嫌気が差す
SNSの誹謗中傷に嫌気が差す
競争社会に嫌気が差す

Conversation Starters

"最近、何かに嫌気が差したことはありますか？ (Have you been fed up with anything lately?)"

"都会の生活に嫌気が差して、田舎に行きたいと思ったことは？ (Have you ever wanted to go to the countryside because you were sick of city life?)"

"仕事に嫌気が差したとき、どうやってリフレッシュしますか？ (How do you refresh when you get fed up with work?)"

"今の政治状況に嫌気が差している人が多いようですが、どう思いますか？ (Many people seem fed up with current politics; what do you think?)"

"趣味に嫌気が差してしまった経験はありますか？ (Have you ever experienced getting fed up with a hobby?)"

Journal Prompts

今日、自分の生活の中で嫌気が差している部分について書き、その解決策を考えてみましょう。 (Write about parts of your life you're fed up with and think of solutions.)

「嫌気が差す」という感情は、新しいスタートを切るためのサインだと思いますか？ (Do you think the feeling of 'iyake' is a sign to make a new start?)

もし今の仕事や学校に嫌気が差したら、あなたならどうしますか？ (If you got fed up with your current job or school, what would you do?)

最近のニュースで、市場が「嫌気」しているという記事を探して感想を書きましょう。 (Find a news article about the market 'shunning' something and write your thoughts.)

自分が自分自身に嫌気が差したときのことを思い出して、その時の感情を詳しく描写してください。 (Recall a time you were disgusted with yourself and describe the emotions in detail.)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Only if you've eaten it so much you can't stand it anymore. Otherwise, use 'kirai' (dislike) or 'akita' (bored of).

'Iyake ga sasu' is the standard idiom. 'Iyake ga suru' is rarely used; you might be thinking of 'hakike ga suru' (to feel nauseous).

No, it's not a swear word, but it is very negative. It shows you are at your emotional limit.

Yes, 'Kare ni iyake ga sashita' means you are fed up with him. It's quite strong and implies the relationship is in trouble.

It is written as 嫌気. The first kanji is 'iya' (dislike) and the second is 'ke' (feeling).

Yes, very often in stock market news to describe investors shunning a stock.

It means 'selling due to distaste,' referring to investors selling stocks because of bad news.

No, because 'iyake' is an involuntary feeling. You don't 'want' to get fed up.

Both use it equally.

There isn't a single word, but 'yaruki' (motivation) or 'kouishin' (curiosity) are opposites in spirit.