1.
reluctantly; unwillingly; grudgingly
Doing something while clearly not wanting to do it. Conveys that the person complied but with obvious displeasure or resistance.
嫌々ながら引き受けた。
I reluctantly accepted.
子供は嫌々ながら宿題を始めた。
The child grudgingly started their homework.
上司の命令なので嫌々ながらも残業することにした。
Since it was my boss's order, I decided to work overtime even though I didn't want to.
Composed of 嫌々 (unwillingly, a reduplication of 嫌) and ながら (while/although). The word emphasizes that someone is doing something despite clearly not wanting to. Also written as いやいやながら without kanji.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 嫌々ながら引き受ける: to accept reluctantly
- 嫌々ながらも: even though reluctantly (emphasizes compliance)
- 嫌々ながら従う: to comply grudgingly
SIMILAR WORDS:
- 渋々: reluctantly — similar meaning, often interchangeable
- 仕方なく: having no choice — emphasizes lack of alternatives
- 不本意ながら: against one's wishes — more formal