Japanese Grammar N1: ～きらいがある (kirai ga aru) – Meaning, Usage, and Examples

Introduction

For Japanese language learners preparing for the JLPT N1 examination, mastering nuanced grammar patterns is essential. One such pattern is ～きらいがある (kirai ga aru), which allows speakers to express tendencies or habitual behaviors with a slightly negative or critical nuance. This blog post will explore this sophisticated expression in detail, providing clear explanations, practical examples, and exercises to help advanced learners incorporate it into their Japanese language skills.

What is ～きらいがある?

～きらいがある (kirai ga aru) is a grammar pattern used to express that something or someone has a tendency or inclination toward a certain behavior or characteristic, often with a slightly negative or critical tone. Despite containing the word きらい (kirai), which means “dislike” when used as a standalone word, this grammar pattern does not express dislike but rather a tendency.

The pattern can be translated in English as “tends to be,” “has a tendency to,” or “is somewhat prone to.”

Grammar Structure

The basic structure for using ～きらいがある is:

Noun + の + きらいがある
Verb (dictionary form) + きらいがある
い-adjective (without い) + きらいがある
な-adjective + な + きらいがある

Usage and Examples

Usage 1: Describing Personal Tendencies or Habits

When describing an individual’s habitual behavior or tendency:

Examples:

• 彼は遅刻するきらいがある。
  (He has a tendency to be late.)
• 私は考えすぎるきらいがある。
  (I tend to overthink things.)
• 田中さんは人の意見を無視するきらいがある。
  (Tanaka-san tends to ignore others’ opinions.)

Usage 2: Describing Characteristics of Things or Situations

When describing tendencies or characteristics of objects, situations, or abstract concepts:

Examples:

• この本は難解なきらいがある。
  (This book tends to be difficult to understand.)
• 彼の説明は抽象的なきらいがある。
  (His explanations tend to be abstract.)
• この政策は不公平のきらいがある。
  (This policy tends to be unfair.)

Usage 3: Offering Mild Criticism

When providing a softened criticism or pointing out a negative aspect:

Examples:

• この映画は長すぎるきらいがある。
  (This movie tends to be too long.)
• 彼女の意見は一方的なきらいがある。
  (Her opinions tend to be one-sided.)
• このレストランは値段が高いきらいがある。
  (This restaurant tends to be expensive.)

Nuances and Special Considerations

When using ～きらいがある, there are several important nuances to understand:

• Subtle Criticism: While not directly negative, this pattern often implies a gentle criticism or points out a flaw.
• Softening Effect: Using きらいがある softens the criticism compared to making a direct statement.
• Objectivity: This expression often gives an air of objectivity to what might otherwise sound like a personal opinion.
• Formality Level: きらいがある is more common in formal writing and polite speech than in casual conversation.

Comparison with Similar Expressions

～きらいがある vs. ～傾向がある

While both express tendencies, there are key differences:

• Nuance: ～きらいがある often carries a subtle critical tone, while ～傾向がある is more neutral and objective.
• Usage context: ～傾向がある is often used in academic or statistical contexts, while ～きらいがある is more common in evaluative or subjective contexts.
• Example comparison:
  • 彼は遅刻するきらいがある。
    (He has a tendency to be late. – implies this is a negative trait)
  • 彼は遅刻する傾向がある。
    (He has a tendency to be late. – more neutral observation)

～きらいがある vs. ～がち

These expressions are similar but differ in emphasis:

• Emphasis: ～がち emphasizes the frequency or likelihood of the tendency, while ～きらいがある focuses more on the nature of the tendency.
• Formality: ～きらいがある is generally more formal than ～がち.
• Example comparison:
  • 彼は約束を忘れるきらいがある。
    (He tends to forget promises. – observing a characteristic)
  • 彼は約束を忘れがちだ。
    (He’s prone to forgetting promises. – emphasizing frequency)

Important Notes (⚠️)

⚠️ Don’t confuse this grammar pattern with the standalone word きらい (dislike). In the pattern きらいがある, きらい does not mean “dislike” but rather “tendency.”

⚠️ This expression is more common in written Japanese and formal speech than in casual conversation.

⚠️ Using きらいがある can be a tactful way to express criticism without sounding too direct or harsh.

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks (穴埋め問題)

Complete each sentence with the appropriate form:

1. このレポートは不正確な_______。
2. 山田先生は厳しすぎる_______。
3. 新入社員は緊張しすぎる_______。
4. この小説は長い_______。
5. 彼の話は大げさな_______。

Exercise 2: Transformation (変形問題)

Transform these direct statements into more tactful expressions using きらいがある:

1. このレストランの料理は塩辛い。
   →　このレストランの料理は_______。
2. 彼女は自分の意見ばかり言う。
   →　彼女は_______。
3. この会社の方針は古い。
   →　この会社の方針は_______。
4. 先生の説明は複雑だ。
   →　先生の説明は_______。
5. 日本語の文法は難しい。
   →　日本語の文法は_______。

Exercise 3: Translation (翻訳問題)

Translate these sentences into Japanese using きらいがある:

1. This newspaper tends to be biased.
2. She tends to worry too much about small things.
3. His lectures tend to be boring.
4. This smartphone tends to overheat when used for a long time.
5. Japanese people tend to be indirect when expressing opinions.

Answers to Exercises

Exercise 1 Answers:

1. このレポートは不正確なきらいがある。(This report tends to be inaccurate.)
2. 山田先生は厳しすぎるきらいがある。(Professor Yamada tends to be too strict.)
3. 新入社員は緊張しすぎるきらいがある。(New employees tend to be too nervous.)
4. この小説は長いきらいがある。(This novel tends to be long.)
5. 彼の話は大げさなきらいがある。(His stories tend to be exaggerated.)

Exercise 2 Answers:

1. このレストランの料理は塩辛いきらいがある。(The food at this restaurant tends to be salty.)
2. 彼女は自分の意見ばかり言うきらいがある。(She tends to only state her own opinions.)
3. この会社の方針は古いきらいがある。(This company’s policies tend to be outdated.)
4. 先生の説明は複雑なきらいがある。(The teacher’s explanations tend to be complex.)
5. 日本語の文法は難しいきらいがある。(Japanese grammar tends to be difficult.)

Exercise 3 Answers:

1. この新聞は偏っているきらいがある。
2. 彼女は小さなことを心配しすぎるきらいがある。
3. 彼の講義は退屈なきらいがある。
4. このスマートフォンは長時間使うと熱くなるきらいがある。
5. 日本人は意見を表すとき遠回しなきらいがある。

Real-Life Usage Examples

To help you understand how ～きらいがある is used in authentic contexts, here are some examples from various situations:

Academic and Business Writing

• この研究結果は主観的なきらいがあるが、参考になる点も多い。
  (These research findings tend to be subjective, but there are many useful points.)
• 新しい方針は従業員の負担を増やすきらいがある。
  (The new policy tends to increase the burden on employees.)

Literary and Art Criticism

• この作家の作品は描写が詳細すぎるきらいがある。
  (This author’s works tend to have overly detailed descriptions.)
• 現代アートは難解なきらいがあるが、それがまた魅力でもある。
  (Modern art tends to be difficult to understand, but that is also part of its appeal.)

Formal Discussions

• 彼の意見は極端なきらいがあるものの、考慮すべき点も含んでいる。
  (His opinions tend to be extreme, but they do contain points worth considering.)
• この分析方法は複雑なきらいがあるが、精度は高い。
  (This analysis method tends to be complex, but it is highly accurate.)

～きらいがある in Set Phrases and Common Expressions

There are several common combinations with ～きらいがある that are worth memorizing:

• 言い過ぎるきらいがある
  (Tends to be an overstatement/exaggeration)
• 一般化しすぎるきらいがある
  (Tends to overgeneralize)
• 単純化しすぎるきらいがある
  (Tends to oversimplify)
• 形式的なきらいがある
  (Tends to be formalistic/perfunctory)
• 偏ったきらいがある
  (Tends to be biased)

Conclusion

The grammar pattern ～きらいがある is a sophisticated expression that allows Japanese speakers to tactfully point out tendencies or habits with a subtle critical nuance. By mastering this pattern, you can express evaluations or criticisms in a more refined and less direct manner, which is highly valued in Japanese communication.

For JLPT N1 test-takers, understanding the nuances of ～きらいがある and knowing when to use it appropriately instead of similar expressions like ～傾向がある or ～がち demonstrates advanced language proficiency. This pattern is particularly useful in formal writing, academic discussions, and polite speech where direct criticism might be considered too harsh.

As you continue to develop your Japanese language skills, incorporating expressions like ～きらいがある will help you communicate more naturally and appropriately in various contexts. Practice using this pattern in your writing and formal speaking to become more comfortable with its subtle nuances.