What does it mean word for word?
The word suki is an adjective meaning "likable" or "fond of" rather than a verb like the English "to like".
Which one should you use?
In English, "like" is a verb. However, in this Japanese structure, the particle ga is used to link the noun to the adjective suki.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
You can make the phrase informal by dropping the desu at the end, resulting in 猫が好き, which is suitable for friends or family. For highly informal situations, one might use Watashi neko suki! To express stronger feelings in a formal context, you can use Watashi wa neko ga daisuki desu for "I really like cats" or Watashi wa neko ga totemo suki desu for "I really like cats". To express even more intensity, Watashi wa neko ga sugoku suki desu translates to "I love cats a lot".
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle ga is used to mark the object of affection, which in this case is the cats, in the sentence structure.
How do you pronounce it?
neko ga suki desu
Did you know?
- The word neko is used in the phrase neko no te wo karitai, which literally means 'I want to borrow a cat's paw' and is used to express being too busy to handle everything alone.
- While suki is used for cats, Japanese has a specific word aishiteru for deep romantic love that is rarely used in daily conversation because it is considered overwhelmingly intense.
- In historical Japanese contexts, cats were sometimes seen as symbols of good luck or protectors of silk, which influenced the cultural fondness expressed in phrases like 猫が好き.
Examples in context
- 猫が好きです。I like cats.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 猫が好きです.Tatoeba #354378 by bourdu, translation #354379 by bourdu
- はい、猫が好きです。hai, neko ga suki desu.Yes, I like cats.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their favorite animals.
- 美咲 Misaki大翔さんは何が好きですか？hiroto-san wa nani ga suki desu ka?Hiroto, what do you like?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕は犬が好きですが、美咲さんは？boku wa inu ga suki desu ga, misaki-san wa?I like dogs, but Misaki, how about you?
- 美咲 Misaki私は猫が好きです。watashi wa neko ga suki desu.I like cats.
- 大翔 Hirotoそれはいいですね。sore wa ii desu ne.That's nice.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
