Dissatisfaction with 気に食わない
気に食わない means that someone or something rubs you the wrong way. It expresses personal dislike, irritation, or dissatisfaction.
Literal Meaning
The literal translation is something like “not eaten by the spirit” or “not to one’s taste”.
Usage Notes
気に食わない is more pointed than simply saying you do not like something. It says that a person, decision, or situation offends your preferences or expectations. 食わない comes from 食う “to eat”, but here the expression works like the English “not to one’s taste”. It contrasts with 気に入る, “to like” or “to be pleased with”.
The idiom normally appears in the negative. It is rougher than 気に入らない and can sound openly hostile.
Because the judgment is personal and blunt, use it carefully when speaking about someone directly.
Dictionary Definition
不満である。気にいらない。
To be dissatisfied. To not like.
Goo Dictionary
Further Reading
- 「気に食わない」 (kaku-navi.com)
- 【気に食わない】の意味と使い方や例文（慣用句） (proverb-encyclopedia.com)
Examples
Getting on one's nerves with 気に食わない
Idiom Explanation: Dissatisfaction with 気に食わない
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:
- 「気に食わないんだよ」
- “He gets on my nerves.”
- 「適当な甘い言葉で金を取り続けるような奴」
- “He's the kind of guy who keeps taking (rental) money while spouting alluring words.”