厭う

• Reading: いとう
• Romaji: itou
• Kanji breakdown: 厭 (en/iya) — dislike, weary of, loathe
• Pronunciation: /i.to.ɯ/

Meaning

To dislike; to hate; to be reluctant to do. Suggests a deep aversion or unwillingness, often tinged with weariness or moral distaste.

A Group 1 (godan) verb in the -w row, conjugated as 厭わない, 厭い, 厭う. More literary and intense than 嫌がる; it implies a principled or deeply felt aversion rather than mere discomfort. The negative form 厭わない (not minding, not begrudging) is extremely common in formal speech and writing, expressing wholehearted willingness to endure hardship.

Examples

1. 苦労を厭わず取り組む姿勢が、彼女の成功の秘訣だ。 Her willingness to embrace hardship without complaint is the secret to her success.
2. 争いを厭う性格のため、なかなか自分の意見を言えなかった。 Because he was averse to conflict, he could never express his own opinions.
3. どんな困難も厭わないと言ったのに、最初の壁で諦めた。 He said he wouldn't shy away from any difficulty, yet he gave up at the first obstacle.

Usage Guide

Context: work ethic, literature, relationships, formal speech

Tone: negative

Origin & History

From Old Japanese いとふ, expressing weariness or disgust. The kanji 厭 (en/iya) combines 厂 (cliff/overhang) with 犬 (dog) and 甘 (sweet), evoking the image of something overwhelming the senses to the point of revulsion.

Cultural Context

Era: Classical–Modern

Generation: Adults

Social background: Universal