“dislike” in Japanese: 嫌 (iya)

How to say “dislike” in Japanese

“Dislike” in Japanese is 嫌 (iya). 嫌 can also mean “don't like”.

嫌 (iya, "dislike") centers on feeling that something does not suit one's wishes and should be rejected.

この味は嫌です。ko no aji wa iya de su

I don't like this taste.

人前で話すのは、まだ嫌です。hito mae de hana su no wa ma da iya de su

I still dislike speaking in front of people.

In everyday conversation, 嫌 (iya) can be softened by adding a reason, because a bare refusal may sound more forceful than intended.

2

kirau

verbdislike

私は辛い食べ物を嫌います。watashi wa tsura i ta be mono o kira i ma su

I dislike spicy food.

3

iyagaru

verbdislike

子どもは薬を嫌がります。ko do mo wa kusuri o iya ga ri ma su

The child dislikes medicine.

4

kirai

na-adjectivenot like

na-adjectivedislike

私は納豆が嫌いです。watashi wa nat tō ga kira i de su

I do not like natto.