嫌々(いやいや)

嫌々(いやいや) is formed by reduplicating 嫌(いや) (unpleasant, unwilling), expressing doing something against one's will.

Common patterns

• 嫌々(いやいや) + verb: to do something reluctantly
• 嫌々(いやいや)ながら(も): reluctantly, even though unwilling

Position in sentence

Typically appears before the verb it modifies.

Register: Neutral to slightly informal.

Similar words

• 渋々(しぶしぶ) (reluctantly, hesitantly)
• 仕方(しかた)なく (with no choice)
• 不本意(ふほんい)ながら (unwillingly - formal)

Writing

Often written in hiragana as いやいや.