Translation and Meaning of: 嫌 - iya

If you have ever watched an anime or tried to talk to a Japanese person, you have probably heard the expression 嫌[いや] being used in situations of discomfort or rejection. This word carries a strong emotional weight and appears in contexts that range from a simple denial to deep feelings of aversion. In this article, we will explore its etymology, everyday usage, interesting facts about the kanji, and even tips for memorizing it effectively. If you want to understand how the Japanese express displeasure naturally, you are in the right place.

In addition to learning the meaning of 嫌, which can be translated as "unpleasant," "detestable," or even "reluctant," you will discover how it fits into Japanese culture. Is there a stronger or softer tone to use it? How does the pictogram reflect its meaning? And why is this word so common in dramas and manga? Here, you will also find ready-made sentences to add to your Anki and boost your studies. Shall we?

Origin and etymology of 嫌

The kanji 嫌 is composed of two radicals: 女 (woman) and 兼 (to accumulate, to combine). This combination may seem strange at first glance, but it makes sense when we analyze its historical development. In ancient China, the character originally represented the idea of "disagreeing" or "being in conflict," especially in relationships. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass any type of aversion or discontent.

In the Japanese language, 嫌 has retained its negative connotation but gained its own nuances. Unlike in Chinese, where the character can be used in more formal contexts, in Japan it is often associated with immediate and personal emotions. Have you noticed how characters in animes shout いや！ when they are scared or irritated? This is one of the characteristics that make the word so expressive in everyday life.

Everyday use and cultural nuances

In Japan, saying 嫌 directly can be considered rude depending on the situation. Therefore, often natives use softer expressions, such as ちょっと… (a little…) or 遠慮したいです (I prefer to abstain), especially in professional environments. However, among friends or family, it is common to hear いやだ or even the stronger version 大嫌い (I really hate).

An interesting detail is that 嫌 is not limited to people or objects—it can also be used for actions. For example, if someone doesn’t want to go out on a rainy day, they might say 外出するのは嫌だ (I don't want to go out). This flexibility makes the word one of the most versatile for expressing discontent. Have you thought about how useful it would be on a trip to Japan?

Tips for memorization and curiosities

An effective way to remember 嫌 is to associate its pictogram with the idea of "conflict". Notice that the radical 女 (woman) appears next to strokes that suggest tension—almost like an argument. If you have ever had an experience where you needed to say "no" firmly, use that memory to create an emotional connection with the kanji. It works better than memorizing without context.

Another interesting fact is that 嫌 appears in various idiomatic expressions. One of the most famous is 嫌われる勇気 (The Courage to Be Disliked), the title of a best-selling book in Japan. This type of usage shows how the word is deeply rooted not only in colloquial language but also in philosophical and psychological reflections. So, are you up for a challenge with this powerful word?

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 嫌悪 (ken'o) - Aversion, repulsion
• 嫌い (kirai) - Displeasure, aversion
• 嫌気 (iyaki) - Disappointment, disinterest
• 忌 (imi) - Taboo, aversion, repulsion
• 憎 (nikushimi) - Hatred
• 恨 (uru) - Resentment, bitterness
• 恐 (kyou) - Fear, dread
• 恥 (haji) - Shame
• 嫌憚 (kenpan) - Disgust, aversion (in a context of consideration for others' opinions)
• 厭 (en) - Boredom, aversion
• 厭悪 (en'o) - Deep aversion, disgust
• 厭気 (enki) - Heartbreak, lack of will
• 厭気感 (enki-kan) - Feeling of heartbreak
• 厭気嫌 (enki-girai) - Disappointment regarding something you don't want to do
• 厭気嫌悪 (enki-girai'okan) - Disgust and aversion towards a feeling or situation

嫌

Romaji: iya
Kana: いや
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n5

Translation / Meaning: unpleasant; detestable; unpleasant; reluctant

Meaning in English: disagreeable;detestable;unpleasant;reluctant

Definition: I don't like this, I despise.

Example Sentences - (嫌) iya

See below some example sentences:

騒々しい場所は嫌いです。

Souzoushii basho wa kirai desu

I don't like noisy places.

I hate noisy places.

• 騒々しい - noisy
• 場所 - place
• は - Topic particle
• 嫌い - hate, dislike
• です - Verb to be/estar in the present

髪が縮れるのが嫌だ。

Kami ga shiboreru no ga iyada

I don't like it when my hair is curled.

I don't want my hair to shrink.

• 髪 (kami) - hair
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 縮れる (chijireru) - shrink, curl
• の (no) - Possession particle
• が (ga) - subject particle
• 嫌 (iya) - hate, dislike
• だ (da) - Verb to be/estar in the present

私は嫌いな食べ物があります。

Watashi wa kirai na tabemono ga arimasu

I have food that I don't like.

I have food that I hate.

• 私 (watashi) - Japanese personal pronoun that means "I"
• は (wa) - Japanese particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 嫌いな (kirai na) - Japanese adjective meaning "hateful" or "unpleasant", followed by the particle na to indicate that it is an adjective
• 食べ物 (tabemono) - Japanese noun meaning "food"
• が (ga) - Japanese particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• あります (arimasu) - Japanese verb meaning "to exist" or "to be", in the present tense

好き嫌いは人それぞれです。

Sukikirai wa hito sorezore desu

Likes and dislikes vary from person to person.

Likes and dislikes are different for everyone.

• 好き嫌い (sukikirai) - likes and dislikes
• は (wa) - particle that indicates the topic of the sentence
• 人 (hito) - person
• それぞれ (sorezore) - Each one, individually
• です (desu) - Verb to be/estar in the present

しつこい人は嫌われる。

Shitsukoi hito wa kirawareru

Persistent people are hated.

I hate persistent people.

• しつこい - adjective meaning persistent, insistent
• 人 - noun meaning person
• は - topic particle, indicates that the subject of the sentence is "persistent people"
• 嫌われる - verb in the passive form meaning to be hated, to be detested

五月蝿いと言われる季節が嫌いです。

Gogatsubyoui to iwareru kisetsu ga kirai desu

I don't like the season it's called "Gogatsubyoui"

I hate the season, which is said to be can fly.

• 五月蝿い (gogatsubyoui) - means "noisy like May flies", referring to the constant buzzing of insects during the month of May in Japan.
• と言われる (to iwareru) - means "it is said that".
• 季節 (kisetsu) - means "season".
• が (ga) - Subject particle.
• 嫌い (kirai) - means "to hate" or "to dislike".
• です (desu) - polite way of "being" or "being".

厚かましい人間は嫌われる。

Atsukamashii ningen wa kirawareru

Shameless people are hated.

Humans are hated.

• 厚かましい - shameless, shameless
• 人間 - Human being
• は - Topic particle
• 嫌われる - to be hated, to be detested

図々しい人は嫌われる。

Zuzushii hito wa kirawareru

Shameless people are hated.

I hate people who are attracted.

• 図々しい - adjective meaning "brazen", "cheeky", "shameless".
• 人 - noun meaning "person".
• は - particle that marks the subject of the sentence.
• 嫌われる - verb in the passive form meaning "to be hated", "to be detested".

彼女は私の趣味を嫌う。

Kanojo wa watashi no shumi o kirau

She doesn't like my hobbies.

She hates my hobby.

• 彼女 - It means "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• は - topic particle in Japanese.
• 私の - "meu" in Japanese.
• 趣味 - "hobby" in Japanese.
• を - Object particle in Japanese.
• 嫌う - "Odiar" in Japanese.

彼女の機嫌が悪い。

Kanojo no kigen ga warui

She is in a bad mood.

• 彼女 - Means "girlfriend" or "she" in Japanese.
• の - Title that indicates possession or expiration.
• 機嫌 - means "mood" or "state of mind" in Japanese.
• が - Particle that indicates the subject of the sentence.
• 悪い - means "bad" in Japanese.