嫌う
To dislike, hate, detest.
嫌う em 30 segundos
- Kirau is a verb meaning 'to dislike' or 'to avoid'.
- It is more active and formal than the adjective 'kirai'.
- It uses the particle 'wo' for the object.
- It can be used for people, things, and even materials (like 'oil dislikes water').
The Japanese verb 嫌う (kirau) is a fundamental expression used to convey a sense of dislike, aversion, or avoidance. Unlike the more common adjective 嫌い (kirai), which describes a state or a quality of being 'disliked,' 嫌う is an active verb that describes the psychological action of harboring a dislike or the behavioral act of avoiding something. In the CEFR B1 level, understanding the nuance between the static 'dislike' and the active 'shunning' is crucial for natural communication.
- Active Aversion
- Refers to the internal feeling of not liking someone or something.
- Avoidance
- Used when someone physically or socially distances themselves from a situation.
- Objective Tendency
- In scientific or technical contexts, it describes a lack of affinity (e.g., 'oil dislikes water').
彼は嘘を極端に嫌う。 (He extremely dislikes lies.)
When we look at the kanji 嫌, it consists of the 'woman' radical (女) and a phonetic component (兼), which originally suggested a sense of being 'stifled' or 'dissatisfied.' Over time, it evolved to represent the feeling of unpleasantness. In modern Japanese, 嫌う is often used to describe a person's character traits or their specific reactions to certain behaviors.
彼女は人混みを嫌って、家で過ごすことが多い。 (She dislikes crowds and often spends time at home.)
この植物は湿気を嫌う。 (This plant dislikes/cannot tolerate humidity.)
- Transitivity
- It is a transitive verb (他動詞), meaning it takes a direct object with the particle を.
若者は束縛を嫌う傾向がある。 (Young people tend to dislike being restricted.)
誰からも嫌われたくないと思うのは自然だ。 (It is natural to not want to be disliked by anyone.)
Using 嫌う (kirau) correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure and its social weight. As a Godan verb, it conjugates following the standard '-u' patterns. The most common usage is [Noun] + を + 嫌う. This indicates that the subject has a conscious dislike for the noun mentioned.
- Direct Dislike
- Used for people, foods, or abstract concepts like 'laziness' or 'hypocrisy'.
- Social Avoidance
- Used to describe avoiding certain social situations or behaviors.
In formal writing, 嫌う is often used to describe the properties of materials or biological organisms. For example, 'this metal dislikes heat' or 'this bacteria dislikes oxygen.' This personification is a standard way to express incompatibility in Japanese.
油は水を嫌う。 (Oil and water don't mix/Oil repels water.)
Another important aspect is the difference between 嫌う and 嫌がる (iyagaru). While 嫌う is an internal feeling or a general stance, 嫌がる is used to describe someone's visible reaction or behavior showing they are uncomfortable or unwilling at a specific moment. If a child is crying because they don't want to eat carrots, you would use 嫌がる.
世間の目を嫌って、彼は姿を消した。 (Disliking/Avoiding the public eye, he disappeared.)
You will encounter 嫌う (kirau) in various contexts ranging from daily conversations to news reports and literature. In daily life, it often appears in discussions about personality or social relationships. For instance, describing someone as 'someone who dislikes losing' (負けず嫌い - though this is a compound, the root is the same).
- News & Media
- Used when discussing political figures avoiding certain topics or countries avoiding conflict.
- Literature
- Used to describe a character's deep-seated psychological aversions or moral stances.
市場は不透明な状況を嫌う。 (The market dislikes/shuns uncertain situations.)
In the workplace, you might hear it in the context of professional standards. A manager might say they 'dislike sloppy work' (妥協を嫌う). It conveys a sense of professional rigor. In romantic contexts, the passive form 嫌われる is a frequent topic of anxiety, appearing in advice columns and song lyrics.
One of the most frequent mistakes for learners is confusing 嫌う (kirau) with the Na-adjective 嫌い (kirai). While they both mean dislike, their grammatical usage is distinct. 嫌い is used with the particle が (e.g., 猫が嫌い), whereas 嫌う is used with を (e.g., 猫を嫌う).
- Mistake 1: Particle Error
- Saying 'Noun が 嫌う' instead of 'Noun を 嫌う'.
- Mistake 2: Overuse for Personal Taste
- Using 嫌う for simple food preferences (like 'I dislike carrots') in casual talk. 嫌い is much more natural there.
Another mistake is using 嫌う to describe someone else's visible discomfort in the moment. As mentioned before, 嫌がる is the correct choice for observable behavior. For example, if a dog is trying to run away from a bath, use 嫌がっている, not 嫌っている.
× 子供が野菜を嫌っている。 (Grammatically okay, but implies a deep psychological stance.)
○ 子供が野菜を嫌がっている。 (More natural for a child showing they don't want to eat.)
Understanding the synonyms of 嫌う (kirau) helps in fine-tuning your Japanese expression. Depending on the intensity and the context, other words might be more appropriate.
- 憎む (Nikumu)
- To hate or loathe. This is much stronger than 嫌う and implies a desire for harm or a deep moral resentment.
- 忌避する (Kihi-suru)
- To evade or shirk. A formal, often legal or technical term for avoiding something unpleasant or mandatory.
- 嫌悪する (Ken'o-suru)
- To feel disgust or abhorrence. A very strong, often visceral reaction.
彼は不正を激しく憎んでいる。 (He hates injustice intensely.)
There is also the term 苦手 (nigate), which means 'to be bad at' or 'to find difficult to deal with.' Often, when Japanese people want to say they 'dislike' something without being too harsh, they use 苦手 instead of 嫌い or 嫌う.
How Formal Is It?
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Nível de dificuldade
Gramática essencial
Exemplos por nível
彼は魚を嫌う。
He dislikes fish.
Subject + を + 嫌う
猫は水を嫌う。
Cats dislike water.
General truth usage
私は嘘を嫌う。
I dislike lies.
Abstract noun object
誰もが戦争を嫌う。
Everyone dislikes war.
Universal subject
彼女は冬を嫌う。
She dislikes winter.
Season as object
犬は大きな音を嫌う。
Dogs dislike loud noises.
Describing animal behavior
弟は勉強を嫌う。
My younger brother dislikes studying.
Family context
母は無駄を嫌う。
My mother dislikes waste.
Value judgment
彼は人から嫌われるのを怖がっている。
He is afraid of being disliked by people.
Passive form: 嫌われる
この花は強い日光を嫌います。
This flower dislikes strong sunlight.
Polite form: 嫌います
嘘をつく人は嫌われます。
People who tell lies are disliked.
Passive as a general consequence
彼は掃除を嫌って、全然しない。
He dislikes cleaning and doesn't do it at all.
Te-form for reason: 嫌って
彼女は目立つことを嫌う性格だ。
She has a personality that dislikes standing out.
Modifying a noun (性格)
父は曲がったことが嫌いだ。（嫌う）
My father dislikes unfairness.
Kirau used for moral stance
子供は苦い薬を嫌うものだ。
It's natural for children to dislike bitter medicine.
~ものだ (natural tendency)
誰かに嫌われるのは悲しい。
It is sad to be disliked by someone.
Noun clause with の
彼は束縛されるのを極端に嫌う。
He extremely dislikes being restricted.
Adverb + 嫌う
若者は伝統に縛られることを嫌う傾向がある。
Young people tend to dislike being bound by tradition.
傾向がある (tendency)
彼女は妥協を嫌う芸術家だ。
She is an artist who dislikes compromise.
Professional context
人混みを嫌って、彼は田舎に引っ越した。
Disliking crowds, he moved to the countryside.
嫌って as a reason for action
上司に嫌われないように、彼は一生懸命働いた。
He worked hard so as not to be disliked by his boss.
Negative passive + ように
この金属は湿気を嫌うので、乾燥した場所に置いてください。
Since this metal dislikes moisture, please keep it in a dry place.
Technical personification
彼は自分の過去について聞かれるのを嫌う。
He dislikes being asked about his past.
Passive infinitive object
公平さを欠く行為は、誰からも嫌われる。
Actions that lack fairness are disliked by everyone.
Formal subject
投資家は市場の不透明感を嫌う。
Investors dislike the uncertainty of the market.
Economic context
彼は世間の注目を嫌って、静かに暮らしている。
Avoiding public attention, he lives quietly.
Social avoidance
独裁者は批判を嫌うものだ。
Dictators naturally dislike criticism.
Political context
彼女は型にはまった考え方を嫌う。
She dislikes stereotypical ways of thinking.
Abstract concept
多くの日本人は、和を乱す行為を嫌う。
Many Japanese people dislike actions that disturb harmony.
Cultural value
この素材は熱を嫌うため、アイロンは避けてください。
Because this material is sensitive to heat, please avoid ironing.
Formal 'tame' reason
彼は馴れ馴れしい態度を嫌う。
He dislikes an overly familiar attitude.
Social nuance
変化を嫌っていては、成長することはできない。
If you keep disliking change, you cannot grow.
~ていては (conditional state)
彼は権力に媚びることを極度に嫌う高潔な人物だ。
He is a person of integrity who extremely dislikes fawning over power.
High-level character description
その作家は、安易なハッピーエンドを嫌うことで知られている。
That author is known for disliking easy happy endings.
Literary critique
大衆は、特権階級の傲慢さを嫌う傾向を強めている。
The masses are increasingly tending to dislike the arrogance of the privileged class.
Sociological observation
彼は、自分のプライバシーが侵害されることを何よりも嫌う。
He dislikes having his privacy invaded more than anything.
Emphasis: 何よりも
組織の硬直化を嫌って、彼はあえて新しい風を吹き込んだ。
Disliking the stagnation of the organization, he dared to bring in a fresh perspective.
Business strategy
彼女は、言葉の端々に漂う差別的なニュアンスを嫌った。
She disliked the discriminatory nuances floating in the edges of the words.
Subtle linguistic observation
この理論は、論理的な飛躍を嫌う厳密な構成に基づいている。
This theory is based on a rigorous structure that dislikes logical leaps.
Academic context
彼は孤独を嫌う一方で、一人でいる時間も大切にしている。
While he dislikes loneliness, he also values his time alone.
Contrast: 一方で
彼は世俗の喧騒を嫌い、山奥で隠遁生活を送っている。
He dislikes the hustle and bustle of the secular world and lives a secluded life deep in the mountains.
Literary/Archaic tone
その政治家は、党利党略に終始する現状を激しく嫌っている。
That politician intensely dislikes the current situation where everything is about party interests and tactics.
Advanced political terminology
美学的に見て、彼は左右対称の崩れを嫌う完璧主義者だ。
Aesthetically speaking, he is a perfectionist who dislikes any break in symmetry.
Aesthetic critique
歴史の必然性を嫌う彼は、個人の自由意志の力を信じ続けた。
Disliking the idea of historical inevitability, he continued to believe in the power of individual free will.
Philosophical context
その老舗旅館は、時代の波に流されることを嫌い、伝統を守り抜いている。
That long-established inn dislikes being swept away by the trends of the times and is protecting its traditions to the end.
Business philosophy
彼は、自己のアイデンティティが他者によって定義されることを忌み嫌う。
He detests having his identity defined by others.
Strong form: 忌み嫌う
科学者としての彼は、客観的な証拠に基づかない推論を嫌う。
As a scientist, he dislikes inferences not based on objective evidence.
Epistemological stance
彼女は、表面的な美辞麗句を嫌い、常に本質を突こうとする。
She dislikes superficial flowery language and always tries to get to the essence.
Linguistic integrity
Colocações comuns
Frases Comuns
嫌われ者
嫌い嫌いも好きのうち
食わず嫌い
負けず嫌い
人嫌い
女嫌い
男嫌い
世間を嫌う
自分を嫌う
馴れ合いを嫌う
Frequentemente confundido com
Adjective vs Verb; 'ga' vs 'wo'.
Internal feeling vs Visible behavior.
Dislike vs Intense hate/malice.
Expressões idiomáticas
"蛇蝎のごとく嫌う"
To loathe someone like snakes and scorpions (to detest intensely).
"嫌い嫌いも好きのうち"
Sometimes when you say you hate something, you actually like it.
"食わず嫌い"
Disliking something before even trying it (usually food).
"負けず嫌い"
Hating to lose (competitive).
"人目を嫌う"
To avoid public notice.
"泥を嫌う"
To avoid corruption or dirty dealings.
"身を嫌う"
To loathe oneself (archaic).
"不浄を嫌う"
To avoid impurity (religious context).
"曲がったことを嫌う"
To hate unfairness or dishonesty.
"型にはまるのを嫌う"
To dislike being stereotyped or restricted by forms.
Fácil de confundir
Padrões de frases
Como usar
Central to the concept of 'social approval'.
Commonly used for plants, metals, and chemicals.
- Using 'ga' instead of 'wo'.
- Confusing 'kirau' with 'iyagaru' for immediate reactions.
- Using 'kirau' for very minor, casual dislikes.
- Mispronouncing with the wrong pitch accent.
- Using the potential form 'kiraeru' incorrectly (it's rarely used).
Dicas
Particle Choice
Always use 'wo' with 'kirau'. If you find yourself wanting to use 'ga', you probably need the adjective 'kirai' instead.
Active vs Passive
Use 'kirau' for your own stance, but use 'kirawareru' when discussing your reputation among others.
Softer Alternatives
In social settings, use 'nigate' (bad at/uncomfortable with) to avoid the harshness of 'kirau'.
Technical Usage
When describing how a plant or material reacts to the environment, 'kirau' is a very natural and professional choice.
Social Harmony
Remember that Japanese culture values 'wa' (harmony), so 'kirau' is a strong word to use about people.
Kira-Kira
Think of someone who hates 'Kira-Kira' (sparkly things). They 'Kirau' the sparkle.
Personification
Don't be afraid to use 'kirau' for objects. It's a standard way to express incompatibility.
Verb Conjugation
Listen for the 'tte' in 'kiratte' to understand the reason behind someone's actions.
Kanji Recognition
The 'woman' radical on the left of '嫌' is the key to identifying this word quickly.
Self-Reflection
Use 'jibun o kirau' (to hate oneself) carefully; it's a very heavy emotional statement.
Memorize
Origem da palavra
Contexto cultural
Directly saying 'I hate you' (anata o kirau) is extremely rare and harsh. People usually say 'nigate' or just 'chotto...'.
The passive 'kirawareru' is used much more often than the active 'kirau' in social contexts.
Pratique na vida real
Contextos reais
Iniciadores de conversa
"どんなタイプの人が嫌いですか？"
"嫌われることを恐れていますか？"
"子供の頃、嫌っていた食べ物はありますか？"
"嘘をつく人をどう思いますか？"
"変化を嫌うほうですか、それとも好むほうですか？"
Temas para diário
自分が嫌っている自分の欠点について書いてください。
なぜ人は他人を嫌うのだと思いますか？
嫌いなことを克服した経験はありますか？
『嫌われる勇気』についてどう思いますか？
あなたが絶対に嫌う（許せない）行為は何ですか？
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasNo, you should say 'Watashi wa ninjin ga kirai' (adjective) or 'Watashi wa ninjin o kirau' (verb). The latter sounds more like a conscious choice or a strong stance.
It is a standard verb. In its 'masu' form (kiraimasu), it is polite. However, expressing dislike is often avoided in polite conversation.
'Kirau' is a general dislike or avoidance. 'Nikumu' is a deep, emotional hatred often involving a sense of justice or personal vendetta.
Yes, it is very common in technical contexts, like 'This wood dislikes moisture.'
It means 'a person who is disliked by others' or an 'outcast'.
'Kirawareたくない' (Kirawaretakunai).
Yes, especially when characters talk about their principles or when a villain expresses disdain for something.
Yes, but 'kirai' is more common for simple tastes. 'Kirau' sounds like you have a strong reason to avoid it.
It's a noun meaning disliking something without trying it. The 'girai' part comes from 'kirau'.
Usually, yes. It implies a psychological or physical distance.
Teste-se 180 perguntas
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
While 'kirai' describes a feeling, 'kirau' describes the act of harboring that feeling or the resulting behavior of avoidance. Use it to express principles, habits, or objective incompatibilities.
- Kirau is a verb meaning 'to dislike' or 'to avoid'.
- It is more active and formal than the adjective 'kirai'.
- It uses the particle 'wo' for the object.
- It can be used for people, things, and even materials (like 'oil dislikes water').
Particle Choice
Always use 'wo' with 'kirau'. If you find yourself wanting to use 'ga', you probably need the adjective 'kirai' instead.
Active vs Passive
Use 'kirau' for your own stance, but use 'kirawareru' when discussing your reputation among others.
Softer Alternatives
In social settings, use 'nigate' (bad at/uncomfortable with) to avoid the harshness of 'kirau'.
Technical Usage
When describing how a plant or material reacts to the environment, 'kirau' is a very natural and professional choice.
Conteúdo relacionado
Mais palavras de emotions
ぼんやり
B1Vaguely; absentmindedly; dimly.
夢中
B1Absorption; engrossment; infatuation.
受け止める
B1To accept; to take; to grasp.
達成感
B1Sense of accomplishment.
ひしひしと
B1Acutely; keenly; strongly (feeling something).
適応する
B1To adapt; to adjust.
健気な
B2Brave, admirable, or plucky (especially of a weaker person).
感心な
B1Admirable; deserving admiration.
感心
B1Admiration, impression, or being impressed.
感心する
B1To be impressed; to admire.
