好きです
suki desu
In Japanese, the phrase used to say "I have feelings for you" is 好きです (suki desu).
This phrase is used to tell someone that you are romantically attracted to them. Because Japanese often omits the subject and object, 好きです is understood to mean "I like you" or "I have feelings for you" in a romantic context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 好き literally means "liking" or "fondness" rather than "to love".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 好きです, the word desu acts as a polite copula.
How do you pronounce it?
suki desu
Did you know?
- In Japanese media, a 'confession' is often called a 告白 (kokuhaku), which is the same word used for a religious confession or a formal statement to authorities.
- If you want to express a much deeper, more intense love than 好きです, you might use 愛してる (aishiteru), but this is often considered too heavy or dramatic for daily life.
- The word 好き is an adjective in Japanese, meaning the state of 'liking' exists, rather than 'liking' being an action the subject performs.
Examples in context
- あの人、気になってるんだよね。I have feelings for that person, you know.
- ねぇ、好きだよ。Hey, I like you.
- ずっと前から、あなたのことが好きです。Zutto mae kara, anata no koto ga suki desu.I have liked you for a long time.
- 本当は、あなたのことが好きです。Honto wa, anata no koto ga suki desu.The truth is, I have feelings for you.
- 実は、とても好きです。Jitsu wa, totemo suki desu.Actually, I like you very much.
Example conversation
A quiet park during sunset where a young man confesses to a woman.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さん、実は、あなたのことが好きです。Yui-san, jitsu wa, anata no koto ga suki desu.Yui, actually, I have feelings for you.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、本当ですか？E', honto desu ka?Eh, really?
- 大翔 Hirotoはい、ずっと前から好きでした。Hai, zutto mae kara suki deshita.Yes, I've liked you for a long time.
- 結衣 Yui私も、大翔さんのことが好きです。Watashi mo, Hiroto-san no koto ga suki desu.I like you too, Hiroto.
