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Getting on one's nerves with 気に食わない

Idiom Explanation: Dissatisfaction with 気に食わない

Manga panel from レンタルおにいちゃん showing example of Getting on one's nerves with 気に食わない.
レンタルおにいちゃん » Volume 2 » Page 28

Following the death of their parents, Kanami’s big brother Kazutaka became secluded and abusive. Kanami begins to spend time with Makoto, a “rental big brother” whose advice gives her hope in restoring her brother’s former kindness. Kazutaka rebukes her attempts, suggesting that Makoto’s filling her with nonsense ideas.

一敬(かずたか):
「気(き)に食(く)わないんだよ」
“He gets on my nerves.”
「適当(てきとう)な甘(あま)い言葉(ことば)で金(かね)を取(と)り続(つづ)けるような奴(やつ)」
“He's the kind of guy who keeps taking (rental) money while spouting alluring words.”

Key Points

  1. 気に食わない means he rubs me the wrong way

    • Kazutaka is not talking about food; this idiom means someone is displeasing or irritating.

    • んだよ makes the dislike sound like the explanation for his attitude.

  2. The wording is openly hostile

    • 適当な and 甘い both undercut Makoto’s advice as careless and tempting.

See Also