dislike

1. Origins, structure, and basic meaning

• Structure: 嫌 means disliking; its kun-readings include いや and きらう.
• Basic usage: 嫌い(きらい) expresses dislike, while 嫌う(きらう) is the verb to dislike or avoid.

2. Common pitfalls and similar expressions

• Negating 嫌い and the object of 嫌う
  • 嫌いではない means not disliking something. The expression distinguishes disliking cleaning from lacking time to organize things.
  • 人混みを嫌う means disliking crowds. 嫌う applies to a cat's aversion to getting wet as well as to a person's dislikes.