N1 · Structured courses

～Kirai ga Aru: Has a Tendency To (Negative)

Learn kirai ga aru for criticizing negative tendencies or bad habits. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

12 minNihongo Hub Editorial TeamPublished 2026-06-06Updated 2026-06-06

Learning objectives

  • Lesson goals: Learn kirai ga aru for criticizing negative tendencies or bad habits.
  • Form and connection: [Verb辞书形/Nounの] きらいがある
  • Nuance in real use: きらいがある is the elegant Japanese way of gently pointing out others' flaws — it doesn't say "you're wrong" but "you seem to have this tendency." This turns criticism into observation, preserving the other's dignity.

Form and connection

[Verb辞书形/Nounの] きらいがある

Core Explanation

Learn kirai ga aru for criticizing negative tendencies or bad habits.

Cultural Note

きらいがある is the elegant Japanese way of gently pointing out others' flaws — it doesn't say "you're wrong" but "you seem to have this tendency." This turns criticism into observation, preserving the other's dignity.

Practical examples

He has a tendency not to listen to others.
She tends to think about things too optimistically.
I have a tendency to put off important decisions.

Common pitfalls

Build the base form before adding the pattern

Complete the required conjugation first. Do not keep polite and plain endings at the same time.

Match politeness to the situation

The examples are reliable starting points; relationships and context can still change the most natural wording.

Practice and answers

1. Write the connection formula for this lesson.
Show answer[Verb辞书形/Nounの] きらいがある
2. Explain the meaning of the first example.
Show answerHe has a tendency not to listen to others.
3. Rewrite the final example using this lesson pattern.
Show answer私わたしは重要じゅうような決断けつだんを先延さきのばしにするきらいがある。 ([Verb辞书形/Nounの] きらいがある)

Continue learning

～Katagata: While / Also Serving As

Learn katagata for formal dual-purpose actions — "while doing A, also B." This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

～Shimatsu Da: Ended Up (Bad Result)

Learn shimatsu da for lamenting how things ended up in a terrible state. This lesson combines form, context, examples, common mistakes, and practice so you can use the pattern in real communication.

Complete Guide to Plain Forms: Linking Ideas, Quotations, and Judgments

Learn the plain forms of nouns, adjectives, and verbs and use them to modify nouns, quote speech, express time and reasons, state plans, make judgments, and build indirect questions.