嫌がる

• Reading: いやがる
• Romaji: iyagaru
• Kanji breakdown: 嫌 (ken/iya) — dislike, hate, disagree
• Pronunciation: /i.ja.ɡa.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To dislike; to be reluctant; to be unwilling. Shows visible or expressed resistance or aversion to a task, person, or situation.

A Group 1 (godan) verb formed from 嫌 (iya, dislike) and the suffix がる, which expresses an outward display of feeling. Unlike 嫌う (to dislike in general), 嫌がる emphasises that the aversion is visible or expressed through behaviour. Commonly used for children reluctant to do something, animals resisting handling, or adults showing unwillingness through action.

Examples

1. 子供が歯医者に行くのを嫌がって、泣き出してしまった。 The child didn't want to go to the dentist and burst into tears.
2. 彼はどんな面倒な仕事も嫌がらずに引き受けた。 He took on even the most tedious tasks without complaint.
3. 引越しを嫌がっていた猫も、新しい家にすぐ慣れた。 The cat that had been reluctant to move soon got used to the new house.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, parenting, work, animals

Tone: neutral

Origin & History

Formed from 嫌 (iya, a native Japanese word for disgust or dislike) and the suffix -がる, which attaches to adjective stems to create verbs meaning 'to show signs of' or 'to act as if one feels.' Structure: 嫌 (adj root) + がる.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal