我喜欢
wǒ xǐhuan
In Chinese, "I like" is expressed as 我喜欢 (wǒ xǐhuan).
我喜欢 is used to express that you enjoy something or have a positive feeling toward someone. In Chinese, you can follow 我喜欢 directly with a noun (e.g., 'I like apples') or a verb (e.g., 'I like swimming') without needing a preposition like "to" or "of".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 我 (I/me) and 喜欢 (to like/to be fond of).
Which one should you use?
While 喜欢 expresses general liking or fondness, the word 爱 (ài) is used for much stronger "love".
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 喜欢 does not change its form based on the subject or the tense of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ xǐhuan
Did you know?
- When expressing a crush on someone, Chinese speakers might use 喜欢 to be subtle, as saying 爱 (ài) can sound much too heavy or dramatic for a new relationship.
- The word 喜 (xǐ) in 喜欢 is the same character used in the word for 'joy' or 'happiness', suggesting that 'liking' something is inherently tied to feeling joy.
- If you want to say you 'don't like' something, you use 不喜欢, but in polite conversation, Chinese speakers often use 不太喜欢 (not too fond of) to soften the blow.
Examples in context
- 我喜欢数学。I like mathematics.This example shows how to use 我喜欢 with a noun for a school subject.Tatoeba #708143 by CLARET, translation #435453 by CK
- 我喜欢阅读。I like reading.This example shows how to use 我喜欢 with a verb for an activity.Tatoeba #2163112 by sadhen, translation #1276130 by CK
- 我喜欢蓝色。I like blue.This example shows how to use 我喜欢 with a noun for a color.Tatoeba #3378086 by GlossaMatik, translation #2245933 by CK
- 我喜欢中国菜。I like Chinese food.
- 我喜爱旅行。I like traveling.
- 我钟爱音乐。I love music.
- 我喜欢这本书。I like this book.
- 我超喜欢这个游戏。I really like this game.
- 这个电影我爱死了！I love this movie so much!
- 138 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about food in a cafe.
- 梓涵 Zihan你喜欢吃什么？Nǐ xǐhuān chī shénme?What do you like to eat?
- 志强 Zhiqiang我喜欢吃中国菜。Wǒ xǐhuān chī Zhōngguó cài.I like eating Chinese food.
- 梓涵 Zihan我也喜欢中国菜！Wǒ yě xǐhuān Zhōngguó cài!I like Chinese food too!
- 志强 Zhiqiang那我们一起去吃吧。Nà wǒmen yìqǐ qù chī ba.Then let's go eat together.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
