How to Politely Talk About Things You Don't Like in English
Everyone has things they love and other things they don't.
But when talking about things you don't like, it can be easy to sound overly negative or critical. So what can you do?
This time, we'll introduce some alternatives for “I don’t like ___” that express the same feelings without sounding too harsh or unpleasant. These alternatives are short and simple, so you can start using them right away in your next English conversation.
“Not my cup of tea”
This figurative expression compares something you dislike to a drink you don't enjoy.
I’ve gone skiing once, but it wasn’t my cup of tea.
Busy, crowded areas aren't my cup of tea.
Remember that this expression is only used in the negative, so if you like something, you should not say “___ is my cup of tea.” Instead, you can simply say, "I (really) like ___."
Rock climbing is my cup of tea.>> I really like/enjoy rock climbing.
“Not for me”
Saying that something is "not for you" implies that it doesn't match your tastes; it does not mean you think it's bad.
I respect her skill as a painter, but her art isn’t for me.
My girlfriend likes going to the opera, but it’s not really for me.
"Doesn’t agree with me"
We use this expression when talking about food. However, rather than not liking the food’s taste, it means the food is likely to make you feel sick.
That cake looks delicious, but dairy doesn’t agree with me.
I had some meatloaf last night that didn't agree with me.
"It’s too ___ for me."
One way of saying that you don’t like something is to give a reason why you don’t like it, like in the following examples:
I don’t usually watch football matches because they’re too long for me.
The morning trains are a bit too crowded for me, so I ride my bike instead.
“I prefer ___.”
Another alternative is to simply mention something that you do like.
I prefer Jazz to pop music.
A
Do you like tea?
B
I prefer coffee, actually.
"Don’t care for ~"
This expression has a slightly stronger negative nuance than the others we've introduced. Depending on the speaker's facial expression and tone of voice, it can be quite direct, so be careful when using it.
That author’s books are really popular, but I don’t care for his writing.
A
What did you think of New York?
B
There’s lots to do, but it’s expensive and crowded. I didn’t really care for it.
Wrap-up
In most situations, saying that you don’t like something directly can sound too blunt or even rude.
However, the expressions introduced here can help you to keep a more positive atmosphere while still sharing your honest opinions.
If you’d like to learn more ways to soften your English, check out the following articles next:
