# 嫌いがある: bad habit; to have a tendency to ~

> Learn 嫌いがある, a JLPT N1 grammar point meaning to have a bad habit or tendency, with usage, formation, examples, nuance, and common mistakes.

JLPT level: N1 · Updated: 2026-05-18 · Canonical: https://hane-app.com/blog/n1-kirai-ga-aru/

**<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** means **bad habit; to have a tendency to ~**. It is a **JLPT N1** Japanese grammar pattern used to criticise a recurring negative behaviour or inclination, often in written Japanese.

This grammar point frequently appears in editorials, formal commentary, and N1 reading comprehension. If you need to point out someone’s problematic habit—gently or sharply—**<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** adds the right weight because it frames the tendency as undesirable.

## What does <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある mean?

Use **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** when you want to **call out a recurring bad habit or a tendency you disapprove of**. The pattern always carries a negative judgement.

Natural translations include:
- has a bad habit of …
- tends to (undesirably) …
- is given to (something negative)

The exact English wording depends on the sentence, but the speaker’s disapproval is always part of the meaning.

## How to form <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Verb (dictionary form)</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>
</div>
<div class="formation">
  <span class="ftoken t-stem">Noun</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-conn">の</span>
  <span class="fplus">+</span>
  <span class="ftoken t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>
</div>

<p class="formula">
  <strong>Pattern examples:</strong>
  <ruby>言い<rp>(</rp><rt>いい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><ruby>過ぎる<rp>(</rp><rt>すぎる</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>　・　<ruby>自慢<rp>(</rp><rt>じまん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby><span class="t-conn">の</span><span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>
</p>

The grammar attaches to the plain present form — never to the past or te‑form. In test questions, distractors often use the right meaning with the wrong conjugation, so pay attention to what comes directly before **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある**.

## When is <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある used?

Use **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** in situations like:
- pointing out a negative personal habit
- criticising a recurring organisational flaw
- commenting on someone’s character in writing

Tone and register:
- formal, often written; feels like editorial commentary
- carries disapproval, so it’s not used about oneself casually
- common in JLPT N1 reading passages where the author evaluates behaviour

## <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある example sentences

<div class="examples">

<div class="example">
  <span class="example-jp"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>何<rt>なに</rt></ruby>でも<ruby>自分<rt>じぶん</rt></ruby>で<ruby>決<rt>き</rt></ruby>めようとする<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span>
  <span class="example-en">He has a bad habit of wanting to decide everything by himself.</span>
  <span class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">over‑controlling tendency</span></span>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <span class="example-jp"><ruby>最近<rt>さいきん</rt></ruby>の<ruby>若者<rt>わかもの</rt></ruby>は<ruby>自分<rt>じぶん</rt></ruby>の<ruby>意見<rt>いけん</rt></ruby>を<ruby>主張<rt>しゅちょう</rt></ruby>し<ruby>過<rt>す</rt></ruby>ぎる<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span>
  <span class="example-en">Young people these days tend to assert their opinions too strongly.</span>
  <span class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">critical observation</span></span>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <span class="example-jp"><ruby>彼女<rt>かのじょ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>感情的<rt>かんじょうてき</rt></ruby>に<ruby>話<rt>はな</rt></ruby>し<ruby>過<rt>す</rt></ruby>ぎる<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>ので、<ruby>会議<rt>かいぎ</rt></ruby>では<ruby>注意<rt>ちゅうい</rt></ruby>が<ruby>必要<rt>ひつよう</rt></ruby>だ。</span>
  <span class="example-en">She has a bad habit of becoming too emotional when she speaks, so care is needed during meetings.</span>
  <span class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">problematic behaviour</span></span>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <span class="example-jp"><ruby>経営陣<rt>けいえいじん</rt></ruby>には<ruby>楽観的<rt>らっかんてき</rt></ruby>すぎる<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span>
  <span class="example-en">The management team has a tendency to be too optimistic — and that’s a problem.</span>
  <span class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">organisational flaw</span></span>
</div>

<div class="example">
  <span class="example-jp">この<ruby>作家<rt>さっか</rt></ruby>は<ruby>説明<rt>せつめい</rt></ruby>を<ruby>省<rt>はぶ</rt></ruby>き<ruby>過<rt>す</rt></ruby>ぎる<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span>
  <span class="example-en">This writer has a bad habit of skipping explanations too often.</span>
  <span class="example-foot"><span class="example-tag">recurring flaw</span></span>
</div>

</div>

After each sentence, notice that **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** isn’t just stating a tendency — it’s passing a judgement. That’s the nuance that separates it from neutral expressions.

## Nuance of <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

The key nuance is **a negative judgement wrapped in a factual‑sounding observation**. You’re not just saying “has a tendency” — you’re implying “and that’s a problem.”

<aside class="note-callout">
  <span class="note-icon">💡</span>
  <span class="note-body">Because the pattern already carries disapproval, adding words like “<ruby>悪い<rp>(</rp><rt>わるい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>” (bad) would be redundant and unnatural. Use the grammar alone to deliver the criticism subtly.</span>
</aside>

Compared to patterns like **<ruby>傾向<rp>(</rp><rt>けいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある**, which simply report a trend, **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** always suggests the tendency is undesirable. That makes it especially common in editorials, literary criticism, and formal complaints.

## <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある vs <ruby>傾向<rp>(</rp><rt>けいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

<div class="compare">
  <div class="cmp a">
    <div class="cmp-head"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">bad habit; undesirable tendency (negative judgement)</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Used when you want to criticise a recurring behaviour.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>独断<rp>(</rp><rt>どくだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>決<rt>き</rt></ruby>める<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span></div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">Has a bad habit of deciding arbitrarily.</div>
  </div>
  <div class="cmp b">
    <div class="cmp-head"><ruby>傾向<rp>(</rp><rt>けいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</div>
    <div class="cmp-sub">tendency; trend (neutral)</div>
    <div class="cmp-when">Used for objective tendencies, positive or negative, without built‑in criticism.</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg"><ruby>独断<rp>(</rp><rt>どくだん</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>で<ruby>決<rt>き</rt></ruby>める<ruby>傾向<rt>けいこう</rt></ruby>がある</div>
    <div class="cmp-eg-en">Has a tendency to decide arbitrarily. (simply describes, may imply nothing more)</div>
  </div>
  <div class="vs">VS</div>
</div>

Choosing between them isn’t just about grammar — it’s about whether you’re simply observing or quietly judging. If your sentence aims to highlight a flaw, **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** is the more natural option.

## Common mistakes with <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

<div class="mistakes">

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="bad"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>はよく<ruby>親切<rt>しんせつ</rt></ruby>な<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="good"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>はよく<ruby>親切<rt>しんせつ</rt></ruby>だ。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="note">Using **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** for a positive trait is unnatural — the grammar only works for undesirable tendencies.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="bad"><ruby>言<rt>い</rt></ruby>い<ruby>過<rt>す</rt></ruby>ぎた<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="good"><ruby>言<rt>い</rt></ruby>い<ruby>過<rt>す</rt></ruby>ぎる<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="note">The grammar attaches to the dictionary form, not the past form, because the bad habit is a general pattern.</div>
</div>

<div class="mistake">
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark bad">❌</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="bad"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>嘘<rt>うそ</rt></ruby>をつく<span class="t-core"><ruby>好き<rp>(</rp><rt>すき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="mline">
    <span class="mark good">✅</span>
    <span class="mline-body"><span class="good"><ruby>彼<rt>かれ</rt></ruby>は<ruby>嘘<rt>うそ</rt></ruby>をつく<span class="t-core"><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</span>。</span></span>
  </div>
  <div class="note">Never confuse <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> with <ruby>好き<rp>(</rp><rt>すき</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> (to like). <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby> here means “dislike” or “aversion”, not “like”.</div>
</div>

</div>

## Is <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある on the JLPT?

<div class="jlpt-card">
  <div class="jlpt-shield">N1</div>
  <div class="jlpt-info">
    <p><strong><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> is firmly an <strong>N1</strong> grammar point, appearing primarily in reading comprehension questions where nuance and tone matter.</p>
    <ul class="jlpt-checks">
      <li>Recognise it in formal passages</li>
      <li>Understand the implied criticism</li>
      <li>Distinguish it from neutral tendency markers</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

For the test, don’t just memorise a translation — be ready to identify the speaker’s attitude in context. N1 questions often pair **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** with a following sentence that explains why the habit is a problem.

## Practice questions for <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

<div class="prompts">
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">①</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Think of a colleague with a frustrating work habit and describe it using <strong><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong>.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">real‑life criticism</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">②</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Rewrite a neutral sentence with <strong><ruby>傾向<rp>(</rp><rt>けいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> so that it now carries disapproval.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">nuance switch</span>
  </div>
  <div class="prompt">
    <span class="prompt-num">③</span>
    <span class="prompt-text">Find an editorial online in Japanese and underline every instance of <strong><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> — notice what is being criticised.</span>
    <span class="prompt-tag">authentic input</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Learning path for <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある

<div class="path">
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">1</span>
    <span class="step-body">Internalise the formation with a small drill: make ten short verb + <strong><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> phrases (e.g., <ruby>遅刻<rp>(</rp><rt>ちこく</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>する<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある) without checking notes.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">2</span>
    <span class="step-body">Read three short opinion pieces where the pattern appears; highlight the criticised target each time.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">3</span>
    <span class="step-body">Write a mini‑critique of a fictional character, deliberately mixing <strong><ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> and <strong><ruby>傾向<rp>(</rp><rt>けいこう</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある</strong> to feel the judgement shift.</span>
  </div>
  <div class="path-step">
    <span class="step-num">4</span>
    <span class="step-body">Show your sentences to a native speaker or tutor and ask whether the tone matches your intention — this is where the nuanced judgement gets fine‑tuned.</span>
  </div>
</div>

## Related grammar to review next

- [きりがない](/blog/n1-kiri-ga-nai/) — because both express a recurring problem; one highlights a bad habit, the other an endless cycle.
- [かつて](/blog/n1-katsute/) — if you’re moving from tendency to past events, かつて marks “once, formerly” and often appears in the same kinds of formal texts.
- [きっての](/blog/n1-kitte-no/) — also N1, used for praising the “most outstanding” example; a perfect contrast to the critical tone of <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある.
- [かたわら](/blog/n1-katawara/) — shows what someone does “while also doing something else”; useful after you’ve described a person’s habit.

## Learn <ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある with Hane

If you want to review **<ruby>嫌い<rp>(</rp><rt>きらい</rt><rp>)</rp></ruby>がある** together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.

Browse more lessons here:
- [All grammar lessons](/blog/)
- [JLPT N1 grammar lessons](/blog/n1/)