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Geoyo Posted 13 years ago
Vocabulary
Don't like someone on first look
What do you call a person you instinctively don't like? Sometimes, on first look, you can tell if you don't like someone. What's the word for this? I found the following words in my dictionary: "unlikeable" and "unsympathetic", but I rarely, if ever, see native speakers use these words, so I wonder if there is a better word?
Top answer
` I'd say 'I took an instant dislike to him'.
- ` I'd say 'I took an instant dislike to him'.
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21 Answers
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Thank you Rover_KE 
what do you think about "unlikeable" and "unsympathetic"? Would you use these words? Are they commonly used in t
what do you think about "unlikeable" and "unsympathetic"? Would you use these words? Are they commonly used in t
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`
'There was something about him that was
'There was something about him that was
- disagreeable
- objectionable
- unpleasant
- revolting
- offensive
- unsavory
- crooked
- devious
- discreditable
- dishonest
- dishonorable
- unlikable
- disreputable
- evasive
- felonious
- fishy
- obnoxious
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Can you say "he is unsympathetic to me"? How does that sound? I am just wondering because in my language, you just say that, and it's kind of a fixed expression, there are no alternative words for it. But in English, that word seems to be uncommon. All the suggestions made suggest a dislike for someone, but I feel they do not really transport the distinct meaning of "unsympathetic".
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Hi
The fixed expression in English might be:
- We don't get on
[= we find it difficult to talk or be with each other]
- Sadly, I don't get on well with my neighbours
Dave
The fixed expression in English might be:
- We don't get on
[= we find it difficult to talk or be with each other]
- Sadly, I don't get on well with my neighbours
Dave
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geoyoCan you say "he is unsympathetic to me"? How does that sound? I am just wondering because in my language, you just say that, and it's kind of a fixed expression, there are no alternative words for it. But in English, that word seems to be uncommon. All the suggestions made suggest a dislike for someone, but I feel they do not really transport the distinct meaning of
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Thank you Dave. It might still not exactly be what I am looking for, as for the feeling I want to describe, you don't even need to be with that person. It would be enough to see his or her face on TV for you to get that feeling, for example if someone has a grumpy or condescending facial expression.
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GPY, maybe I am totally wrong about the word "unsympathetic"? As you put it, it would describe someone who does not care about others. But that's a quite different meaning from what I want to convey. Can it even be used to describe someone you don't like just because of his face?
My dictionary says:
My dictionary says:
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Hi
Another idiom is:
- I cannot stand him!
[= If I see him on the television, I change to another channel]
Regards, Dave
Another idiom is:
- I cannot stand him!
[= If I see him on the television, I change to another channel]
Regards, Dave
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In many European languages, a word similar in appearance to 'sympathetic' can be used of a person who is easy to like. The word 'sympathetic' is not used in this way in English.
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