“don't like” in Japanese: 嫌 (iya)

How to say “don't like” in Japanese

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

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.