The JLPT N1 grammar pattern ～きらいがある is used to express a person or thing has a tendency to do something — typically something undesirable or negative. While not overly strong, it subtly criticizes habitual or common behavior in a polite and indirect way.
1. Meaning & Nuance
～きらいがある = “tends to…,” “has a tendency to…” (often negative or undesirable behavior)
This grammar has a soft criticism or judgmental nuance. It is commonly used in written or formal language to point out a recurring pattern.
It is NOT used for positive tendencies and is rarely used in casual conversations.
2. Formation
Structure
Example
Verb (dictionary form) + きらいがある
考えすぎるきらいがある (tends to overthink)
Noun + の + きらいがある
独断のきらいがある (has a tendency to act arbitrarily)
3. Example Sentences
A. Verb + きらいがある
彼は何事も深く考えすぎるきらいがある。 He tends to overthink everything.
部長は感情的に判断するきらいがある。 The manager tends to make emotional decisions.
彼女はネガティブに物事を捉えるきらいがある。 She tends to see things negatively.
B. Noun + の + きらいがある
最近の若者は努力不足のきらいがある。 Young people these days tend to lack effort.
日本のメディアは一方的な報道のきらいがある。 Japanese media has a tendency to report one-sidedly.
4. Notes on Usage
～きらいがある usually carries a formal and intellectual tone.
It’s a “soft criticism” used in essays, formal speech, analysis, or editorials.
It focuses on recurring tendencies, not one-time events.
5. Commonly Used Verbs/Nouns
Expression
Translation
考えすぎるきらいがある
Tends to overthink
決めつけるきらいがある
Tends to make assumptions
怠けるきらいがある
Tends to slack off
独断のきらいがある
Has a tendency to act arbitrarily
感情的な判断のきらいがある
Has a tendency to judge emotionally
6. Comparison with Similar Expressions
Expression
Meaning
Nuance
～きらいがある
Tends to (negative pattern)
Soft criticism, formal
～がち
Frequently, tends to (physically or emotionally)
Neutral, common in speech
～やすい
Easy to do, likely to do
Neutral, tendency by nature or situation
～傾向がある
Has a tendency to (neutral)
Used for statistical or societal trends
7. Practice Exercises
A. Fill in the blanks
彼は何でも自分で決めたがる__________。
あの学生は勉強を後回しにする__________。
最近の若者は人付き合いを避ける__________。
あの社長は感情で判断する__________。
部下の意見を聞かない__________上司もいる。
B. Translate into Japanese
She tends to complain even about small things.
Some politicians tend to ignore the opinions of the public.
He has a tendency to act before thinking.
Our boss tends to favor certain employees.
That media outlet has a tendency to twist the truth.
C. Create your own sentences
Write 3 original sentences using ～きらいがある to describe real-life or social tendencies in your country or workplace.
