憎(にく)い

にくい
i-adjective
hateful, detestable
1. hateful, detestable, odious
Describes a person or thing that one hates or finds detestable. Expresses strong negative emotion toward the target.
あいつが憎(にく)い。
I hate that guy.
犯人(はんにん)が憎(にく)くてたまらない。
I can't stand how much I hate the criminal.
〜てたまらない expresses an unbearable degree of emotion.
戦争(せんそう)を始(はじ)めた者(もの)たちが憎(にく)い。
I despise those who started the war.
2. admirable, impressive (ironic praise)
Used as ironic or grudging praise to describe someone whose skill or success is so impressive that it provokes envy. Often used with a tone of reluctant admiration.
憎(にく)いことを言(い)うね。
You say impressive things, don't you.
Ironic praise — expressing grudging admiration.
憎(にく)い演出(えんしゅつ)だ。
That's an impressive production.
いいタイミングで花(はな)を贈(おく)るなんて、憎(にく)いやつだ。
Sending flowers at just the right time — what a smooth operator.
Expresses reluctant admiration for someone's impressive timing.

憎(にく)い has two distinct uses. The primary meaning expresses genuine hatred or detestation. The secondary meaning is ironic praise — expressing grudging admiration for someone whose skill or charm is enviable.

FORMS:

  • 憎(にく)い (plain)
  • 憎(にく)くない (negative)
  • 憎(にく)かった (past)
  • 憎(にく)くて (te-form)

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 憎(にく)くてたまらない: to hate unbearably
  • 憎(にく)いやつ: hateful person / impressive person (context-dependent)
  • 憎(にく)い演出(えんしゅつ): impressive staging

RELATED WORDS:

  • 憎(にく)む: to hate (verb)
  • 憎(にく)しみ: hatred (noun)
  • 憎(にく)らしい: hateful, provoking (adjective, always negative)

NOTE: Do not confuse with the suffix 〜にくい (difficult to do), which is a separate word.

Related Words

Contrast: 〜にくい (difficult to do (suffix))
general
Added 2026.2.22 18:57
12500/12744_nikui