How to tell them apart
がち describes a recurring undesirable state or behavior that happens often, like 遅れがちだ, focusing on frequency. きらいがある points to a deeper character or systemic tendency, often used in formal writing to critique a pattern, like 重視しなかったきらいがある. Swapping them sounds off: きらいがある feels too heavy for a watch running slow, while がち sounds too casual for discussing education policy.
- がち Use がち for everyday recurring negative tendencies in casual or neutral contexts.
- きらいがある Use きらいがある for formal or systemic tendencies, often in writing or critique.
| Grammar point | Meaning | JLPT level |
|---|---|---|
| がち gachi | has a tendency to (do something undesirable) | N3 |
| きらいがある kiraigaaru | Have a tendency to, tend to | N1 |
がち gachi
has a tendency to (do something undesirable)
がち attaches to a verb stem or a noun to describe a tendency to do something or fall into a certain state, usually one viewed negatively. It often appears as がちだ or がちである at the end of the sentence.
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人々はハンググライディングは危険だと考えがちである。
There is a tendency for people to think that hang gliding is dangerous.
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彼は人が自分に反対すると、腹を立てがちである。
He tends to get angry when people oppose him.
きらいがある kiraigaaru
Have a tendency to, tend to
きらいがある attaches to plain-form verbs (including negative forms) and nouns, and expresses that someone or something has a tendency toward a certain behavior or condition, often one viewed somewhat critically. It is a formal expression common in written or serious contexts.
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彼は物事を悲観的に考えすぎるきらいがある。
He has a tendency to think about things too pessimistically.
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最近の若者はニュースを読まないきらいがある。
Young people these days tend not to read the news.
がち and きらいがある are JLPT N3–N1 grammar points that Japanese learners often mix up. This page compares them side by side on meanings, usage and example sentences, so you can tell them apart.