嫌
嫌·dislike, unpleasant
- On-yomi
- ケンゲン
- Kun-yomi
- きらういや
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 嫌い | きらい | dislike, hate |
| 嫌 | いや | unpleasant, no thanks |
| 嫌う | きらう | to dislike, to hate |
| 機嫌 | きげん | mood, temper |
Example sentences
私は虫が嫌いです。
わたしはむしがきらいです。
I don't like insects.
雨の日に出かけるのは嫌だなあ。
あめのひにでかけるのはいやだなあ。
Ugh, I really don't want to go out on a rainy day.
部長は今日、機嫌がいいみたいです。
ぶちょうはきょう、きげんがいいみたいです。
The department head seems to be in a good mood today.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 機嫌 as *きけん (which is 危険, danger) instead of きげん
- Treating 嫌い as a verb — it is a な-adjective, so 嫌いです / 嫌いな人, never *嫌いします
Memory aid
Picture it
嫌 keeps 兼 (holding two things at once) next to 女 — being pulled two ways leaves a sour, unpleasant feeling.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 嫌 mean?