憎い
に
く
い
憎い · i-adjective
| Form | Positive | Negative |
|---|---|---|
| Dictionary | 憎い | 憎くない |
| Polite | 憎いです | 憎くないですalso 憎くありません |
| Past polite | 憎かったです | 憎くなかったですalso 憎くありませんでした |
| Past | 憎かった | 憎くなかった |
| Te-form | 憎くて | 憎くなくて |
| Adverbial | 憎く | |
| Conditional | 憎ければ | 憎くなければ |
| Tara conditional | 憎かったら | 憎くなかったら |
Meanings
1
Expresses strong dislike or irritation toward someone or something. Often used in emotional, subjective contexts.
That person's attitude is hateful.
It was a performance so perfect it was vexing.
2
Used ironically or admiringly when someone's skill or action is so good it's almost annoying. Often in phrases like 憎いね or 憎いことをする.
That idea is wonderfully clever!
He is so capable at work it's almost annoying.
Usage patterns
- 〈人〉が憎くてたまらないto hate someone so much one can't bear it
I resent him so much I can't stand it.
- 〈事〉をするとは憎いsaid admiringly of a clever or impressive act (often ironic)
Pulling off such a stylish gesture—how impressive!
- 〈事〉が憎いほど〈形容詞〉so much so that it feels almost cruel/hateful
This world is hatefully unfair.
- 憎い〈物〉impressively clever (staging, performance, etc.)
I was impressed by that drama's clever staging.
Expressions
- 憎からずaffectionately; tenderly; lovingly
- 憎からず思うfeel affectionate towards; have feelings for; care for; hold dear
- 可愛さ余って憎さ百倍the greatest hate comes from the greatest love
- 罪を憎んで人を憎まずcondemn the offense, but not the offender
- 坊主憎けりゃ袈裟まで憎いhating everything associated with someone you dislike
- その罪を憎んでその人を憎まずcondemn the offense, not the offender; hate the sin, love the sinner