N1 Uncertainty, Hedging, and Inference

~きらいがある: meaning, usage and examples

~きらいがある means: to have a (negative) tendency to...

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 彼かれは、物事ものごとを少すこし大おおげさに言いうきらいがある。

   He has a tendency to exaggerate things a little.

2. うちの部長ぶちょうは、部下ぶかの意見いけんを無視むしするきらいがある。

   Our department manager tends to ignore what the staff have to say.

3. 人ひとは、自分じぶんに都合つごうのいい情報じょうほうだけを信しんじるきらいがある。

   People tend to believe only the information that suits them.

4. この会社かいしゃは、前例ぜんれいのないことを避さけるきらいがある。

   This company has a tendency to avoid anything without precedent.

When to use it

Describes a bad habit or undesirable tendency of a person, group or thing: "tends to," "is inclined to." The speaker is mildly critical. Example: 「彼かれは人ひとの話はなしを最後さいごまで聞きかないきらいがある」. It points out a pattern, not a single event, and often describes people, organizations or ways of thinking.

Nuance

Formal and somewhat written, often in commentary, reviews and evaluations. Always negative; it is never used for good habits. Not usually used about the speaker in a neutral way, since it is a criticism from outside.

Compare

がちだ is the everyday form and also negative: 遅おくれがちだ (often late). 傾向けいこうがある is neutral and can be positive: 増加ぞうかする傾向けいこうがある. きらいがある is the most critical and formal: 物事ものごとを悲観ひかん的てきに考かんがえるきらいがある. ぎみ means "a little" and describes physical states: 風邪かぜぎみ.

Tip: If you could say "has a bad habit of," use きらいがある. For neutral trends like rising numbers, use 傾向けいこうがある instead.