嫌いがある
Have a tendency to, Tend to, Be slightly~
Structure
Verb［ない］+ きらいがある
Noun + の + きらいがある
Explanation
嫌いがある is formed by the noun きらい, meaning 'dislike' or 'distaste', and the verb ある, 'to exist'. This phrase is used to point out an undesirable habit or negative inclination, often translated as 'has a tendency to (A)' or 'is prone to (A)'.
This grammar pattern is attached to the plain form of a verb (both positive and negative), or a noun followed by the particle の.
- 弟は美味しいものを見ると、つい食べすぎる嫌いがある。My younger brother has a tendency to overeat whenever he sees delicious food.
- あの人は他人のアドバイスを聞かない嫌いがある。That person is prone to not listening to other people's advice.
- うちの猫は、お客さんが来るとすぐに隠れる嫌いがある。Our cat tends to hide right away when we have visitors.
Literally, 嫌いがある means 'there is a dislike', which conveys the speaker's negative feeling about the particular habit or tendency being described.
Because 嫌いがある has a strong critical nuance, it is often paired with adverbs like 少し 'a little' or どうも 'for some reason' to soften the statement.
- 田中さんは少し話を大げさにする嫌いがあるが、悪い人ではない。Tanaka-san has a slight tendency to exaggerate things, but he isn't a bad person.
- 彼はどうも物事を悲観的に考える嫌いがあるから、励ましてあげよう。He seems to have a tendency to think about things pessimistically, so let's try and encourage him.
Caution
Because 嫌いがある is used to pass negative judgment, it is almost always used to talk about other people's habits, not one's own.
- 私は宿題を後回しにする嫌いがある。I have a tendency to put off my homework. (Unnatural Japanese)
Examples
最近の若者は悲観的のきらいがある。
Young people these days have a tendency to be pessimistic.
彼は人の忠告を聞かないきらいがある。
He has a tendency to not listen to other people's advice.
弟は少し難しいと、すぐに諦めてしまうきらいがある。
My younger brother tends to give up right away when things get even a little bit difficult.
あの部長は有能だが、面倒な仕事は部下に押し付けるきらいがある。
That department manager is very capable, but he tends to push burdensome tasks onto his subordinates.
記事：「このシステムは過度に複雑のきらいがあるため、簡素化を求める声が上がっている。」
Article: 'This system has a tendency to be overly complex, and there are growing calls for its simplification.'
不景気になると、企業は過剰なコストカットのきらいがあり、従業員の士気に悪影響を及ぼすことがある。
During an economic downturn, companies have a tendency toward excessive cost-cutting, which can in turn negatively affect employee morale.
夫は大事なことを相談なしに決めてしまうきらいがあるので、少し困る。
My husband has a tendency to decide important matters without consulting me, which is a little troubling.
物事を難しく考えすぎるきらいがあるお客様には、結論から話したほうがいい。
For clients who have a tendency to overcomplicate things, it is best to present the conclusion first.
私の同僚は何でも一人で抱え込むきらいがあるので、いつも大変そうだ。
My colleague tends to shoulder every burden by himself, so he always looks overwhelmed.
うちの娘は嫌なものを最後まで残すきらいがある。
My daughter has a tendency to leave the food she dislikes until the very end.
あの評論家は、映画を興行収入だけで評価するきらいがある。
That critic tends to judge films based solely on their box office revenue.
彼は約束の時間に遅れるきらいがあるから、事前に確認しておいたほうがいいよ。
He has a tendency to be late for appointments, so you should probably confirm with him in advance.