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〜きらいがある

have a (bad) tendency to

Verb dictionary / ない-form + きらいがある · Noun + の + きらいがある

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きらいがある describes an undesirable tendency in a person or group: 彼は物事を大げさに言うきらいがある, "he has a tendency to exaggerate".

The tendency is always negative: exaggerating, giving up too easily, keeping things to yourself, sticking to precedent, not listening. It's a criticism, but a measured and slightly formal one, so it's typical of essays and assessments.

It's written with the kanji 嫌い (dislike), but it means "tendency" here, and it's usually written in kana.

Compare がち (N3), "tend to", which is more everyday and can describe situations (曇りがち). きらいがある is about someone's character.

Don't confuse it with ことがある, "sometimes".

Examples

  • 彼かれは物事ものごとを大おおげさに言いうきらいがある。

    He has a tendency to exaggerate.

  • 最近さいきんの若者わかものは、すぐにあきらめるきらいがあると言いわれる。

    Young people these days are said to give up too easily.

  • 彼女かのじょは一人ひとりで問題もんだいを抱かかえ込こむきらいがある。

    She tends to keep her problems to herself.

  • この会社かいしゃは前例ぜんれいにこだわるきらいがある。

    This company has a tendency to stick to precedent.

  • 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。

    He has a habit of not hearing people out.

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