Posted inN1 Grammar

Mastering JLPT N1 Grammar: ～きらいがある (kirai ga aru)

Posted inN1 Grammar
Japanese Grammar Template
Meaning & Usage

✨ Basic Meaning

To have a tendency or inclination towards something.

🎯 Primary Function

Used to indicate that someone or something has a habit or tendency, usually a negative or undesirable one. It points out a flaw, weakness, or problematic characteristic.

📋 Grammar Structure

動詞の辞書形/ない形/た形 + きらいがある 名詞 + の + きらいがある

🎭 Usage Contexts

🏢 Formal Situations

Frequently used in formal discussions, reports, and analysis to describe characteristics of people, groups, or situations, often in a critical or evaluative context.

😊 Informal Situations

Can be used, but sounds slightly formal. Less common in very casual conversation unless referring to a well-known personal quirk with a hint of self-deprecation or gentle criticism.

✍️ Written Language

Very common in analytical writing, essays, news articles, and critical reviews.

🗣️ Spoken Language

Used in spoken language, especially in discussions, meetings, or when expressing considered opinions, but less frequent than in written language.

💡 Common Applications

Describing Negative Personality Traits
Used to point out undesirable characteristics or habits of a person.
Example: 彼は物事を悲観的に考えるきらいがある。 (He has a tendency to think about things pessimistically.)
Referring to Problematic Tendencies in Groups or Systems
Applicable not just to individuals but also to groups, organizations, or societal trends.
Example: 最近の若者は流行に流されやすいきらいがある。 (Recent young people have a tendency to be easily influenced by trends.)
Highlighting Negative Work Habits
Used to describe undesirable habits related to work or tasks.
Example: 彼女は締め切り直前にならないと本気にならないきらいがある。 (She has a tendency not to get serious until just before the deadline.)
📊
Frequency
Moderately frequent in analytical, evaluative, or critical contexts, particularly in formal settings and written language.
🎚️
Difficulty
Advanced (Equivalent to JLPT N1). Understanding its negative nuance and appropriate contexts is key.
Example Sentences
彼は一度決めたら人の意見を聞かないきらいがある。
Once he’s decided, he has a tendency not to listen to others’ opinions.
この会社は新しい技術の導入に消極的なきらいがある。
This company has a tendency to be passive about introducing new technology.
彼女は少し考えすぎるきらいがある。
She has a tendency to think a bit too much.
Notes & Nuances

📌 Important Points

Negative Connotation
〜きらいがある almost exclusively describes negative, undesirable, or problematic tendencies. It is generally not used for positive habits or inclinations.
Example: 〇 彼は忘れ物をするきらいがある。(Correct – forgetting things is usually negative) × 彼は早起きをするきらいがある。(Incorrect – being an early riser is usually seen positively)
Expresses a Tendency, Not an Absolute
It indicates a characteristic inclination rather than a guaranteed or constant action. It suggests that this often happens or is a noticeable pattern.
Example: 彼女は慌てるとミスをするきらいがある。(She has a tendency to make mistakes when she panics.) – Implies it often happens, not every single time.

⚠️ Common Mistakes

❌ Using it for positive or neutral tendencies.
✅ Reserve ～きらいがある for negative tendencies.
The word きらい (dislike) inherently carries a negative sense, making it unsuitable for positive descriptions. Use other patterns like ～傾向がある or simply describe the habit directly for positive things.
❌ Using it with actions that happen only once or are not habitual.
✅ Use it for recurring patterns or characteristics.
～きらいがある describes a tendency or characteristic inclination, not a one-off event or a state that isn’t habitual.

🏛️ Cultural Context

Politeness Level: Moderately polite. It allows for indirect criticism or observation without being overly blunt, suitable for discussing potentially sensitive characteristics.
Social Situations: Used in situations where one is evaluating or describing characteristics, such as in professional contexts, discussions about human behavior, or societal issues.
Regional Variations: Usage is standard across Japan, not specific to a region.

🔍 Subtle Differences

～きらいがある vs. ～傾向がある
～きらいがある is almost always negative, while ～傾向がある can be used for both positive and negative tendencies.
When to use: Use ～きらいがある when highlighting a *negative* or problematic tendency. Use ～傾向がある when describing a tendency in general, which could be positive, negative, or neutral.
～きらいがある vs. ～がちだ
～がちだ also expresses a negative tendency, but it often applies to less serious or more common habits/states (like ‘sickly’, ‘forgetting things often’). ～きらいがある can feel slightly more formal or used for more ingrained or significant tendencies.
When to use: Use ～がちだ for more common, less severe negative habits or states. Use ～きらいがある for often more significant or notable negative tendencies, possibly with a more analytical tone.
～きらいがある vs. ～やすい
～やすい means ‘easy to do’ or ‘likely to do’, often based on inherent nature or conditions. It doesn’t necessarily imply a negative *habit* but rather susceptibility.
When to use: Use ～やすい when something is easily done or likely to occur under certain conditions. Use ～きらいがある when someone/something has a specific, often problematic, *tendency* or inclination.

📝 Conjugation Notes

Connects directly to the plain form of verbs (present/past, affirmative/negative) and 名詞＋の.

🔊 Pronunciation Tips

Pronounce きらい (kirai) with a slightly downward intonation on ‘ra’, followed by ‘ga aru’.

🧠 Memory Tips

Remember that きらい (kirai) means ‘dislike’. The grammar point ‘～きらいがある’ means ‘there is a ‘dislikeable’ tendency,’ helping you remember its negative connotation.

Practice Exercises
最近、彼は約束の時間を守らない（　　）。
がちだ
きらいがある
やすい
はずだ
彼女は人に頼るのが苦手で、何でも一人で抱え込む（　　）。
はずだ
によると
きらいがある
どころか
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