Translation guide
How to express that you don't like something or someone in Japanese, from mild dislike to strong aversion.
Express that you don't like something or someone in a straightforward, everyday way.
The most common and direct way to say you dislike something or someone. It's a na-adjective, so use な before nouns and だ/です to end sentences.
私は納豆が嫌いです。
I dislike natto.
彼は嘘をつく人が嫌いだ。
He dislikes people who lie.
A verb meaning to dislike or hate. Slightly stronger and more formal than 嫌い. Often used in written language or to describe a general tendency.
彼女は不正を嫌う。
She dislikes injustice.
Literally 'weak point', used to say you're not good at something or don't like it because it's difficult or uncomfortable. Softer than 嫌い, often used for foods, activities, or people you find hard to deal with.
私は人前で話すのが苦手です。
I'm not good at speaking in public (and I dislike it).
彼は辛いものが苦手だ。
He doesn't like spicy food (because he can't handle it well).
A softer, indirect way to say you don't like something. Literally 'not like'. Common in casual conversation.
あの映画、あまり好きじゃない。
I don't really like that movie.
Express intense dislike, hatred, or loathing.
Emphatic form of 嫌い, meaning 'hate' or 'detest'. Very common and strong.
私は虫が大嫌いだ。
I hate bugs.
To hate, detest, or bear a grudge. Stronger and more emotional than 嫌う, often implying resentment.
Disgust, revulsion, loathing. A formal noun often used in compounds like 嫌悪感 (feeling of disgust).
Express that you don't get along with someone or find them difficult, without using strong words like 嫌い.
A very common strategy: trailing off with 'chotto...' to imply dislike or difficulty without stating it directly. Context and tone convey the meaning.
あの人はちょっと…
That person is a bit... (I don't like them / they're difficult).
A person you're not good with, someone you find hard to deal with. Softer than saying you dislike them.
彼はちょっと苦手な人です。
He's someone I'm not very good with (I don't really like him).
To not get along, to not be compatible. A gentle way to say you don't mesh well with someone.
あの人とはどうも合わない。
I just don't get along with that person.
Express that you don't like doing something or that a situation is unpleasant.
Pattern meaning 'I don't want to do ~' or 'I hate doing ~'. 嫌 (いや) is a na-adjective expressing reluctance or displeasure.
早起きするのは嫌だ。
I hate getting up early.
負けるのは嫌です。
I don't want to lose.
Pattern using 嫌い to say you dislike doing something. More direct than 嫌だ.
私は待つのが嫌いです。
I dislike waiting.
嫌い (kirai) means a clear dislike or hatred. 苦手 (nigate) means you're bad at something or find it hard to deal with, which often implies dislike but is softer and more about your own ability. Use 苦手 for foods you can't eat, subjects you're weak at, or people you find awkward. Use 嫌い for things you genuinely detest.
私はピーマンが嫌いです。
I hate green peppers (I just don't like them).
私はピーマンが苦手です。
I'm not good with green peppers (I can't eat them well).
Saying 嫌い directly about a person can be very strong and rude. In polite conversation, it's safer to use softer expressions like 苦手, ちょっと…, or 合わない. Even 好きじゃない is milder than 嫌い.
He hates the friend who betrayed him.
I felt disgust at his behavior.