讨厌

• Pinyin: tǎo yàn
• Hanzi breakdown: 讨 = 讠(speech) + 寸 (inch), to seek/demand; 厌 = 厂 (cliff) + 犬 (dog), to be weary of

Meaning

Annoying; to dislike; to hate; disgusting.

Can be used as an adjective (annoying), verb (to dislike), or exclamation (expressing mild annoyance). Very common in daily speech. When said playfully between close friends or couples, it can actually express affection, similar to 'you're so annoying!' said with a smile.

Examples

1. 我最讨厌那种说话不算话的人。 I hate people who don't keep their word.
2. 讨厌！你怎么又把房间弄得这么乱？ Ugh, so annoying! How did you make the room such a mess again?
3. 这种天气真讨厌，又潮湿又闷热。 This weather is really annoying — so humid and stuffy.

Usage Guide

Context: everyday, emotional

Tone: expressive

Do Say

• 真讨厌！(How annoying!)
• 我讨厌吃苦瓜。(I hate eating bitter melon.)

Don't Say

• 我很讨厌他 in formal settings — sounds childish; use 不喜欢 or 反感 in professional contexts

Origin & History

Compound of 讨 (to demand/seek) + 厌 (to dislike/be fed up), meaning something that invites dislike.

Cultural Context

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal