憎らしい
にくらしい
hateful, provoking
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Examples
弟の態度が憎らしい。
おとうとのたいどがにくらしい。
My little brother's attitude is infuriating.
あの子は時々憎らしいことを言う。
あのこはときどきにくらしいことをいう。
That child sometimes says the most provoking things.
勝った相手の笑顔が憎らしかった。
かったあいてのえがおがにくらしかった。
The winner's smile was maddening.
憎らしいほど上手に歌う。
にくらしいほどじょうずにうたう。
She sings so well it's almost annoying.
Common patterns
- 憎らしいことを言う
- to say provoking things
- 憎らしいほど
- annoyingly ~, enviably ~
- 憎らしい顔
- an infuriating look
Memory tip
Lighter than 憎い: this is irritation at cheek or smugness, often said half-affectionately about a child or a rival. 憎らしいほど上手 is a backhanded compliment — "so good it's irritating".
Kanji in this word
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What does 憎らしい mean?