好きです
suki desu
In Japanese, "I like" is expressed as 好きです (suki desu).
This phrase is used to express a preference or something you like. You can strengthen this expression to say you love or really like something by using 大好きです.
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing what you like, the object of your affection is marked with the particle が rather than the direct object particle を. For example, the structure is ___ ga suki desu. To say you do not like something, use the negative form 好きじゃないです. If you are talking about the past, use the past tense 好きでした. If the subject is already clear from context, you can omit the subject and use the structure ___ wa suki desu. To say "I like [something]" formally, you can use Watashi wa ___ ga suki desu.
How do you pronounce it?
suki desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because 好き functions as a na-adjective, English speakers often mistakenly use the particle を to mark the object. Instead, always use the particle が to mark the thing you like.
Did you know?
- While 好きです means 'I like', it is the standard way to confess romantic love to someone for the first time. Saying 'I love you' with more intense words can actually feel too heavy or unnatural in this specific social ritual.
- When someone tells you 好きです during a confession, a common but heartbreaking response is ありがとうございます, meaning 'thank you'. This is a polite way to decline the feelings without saying 'I don't like you'.
- Japanese speakers often avoid saying 好きじゃない directly because it can sound too harsh. Instead, they might use phrases like 苦手です which suggests they are 'not good with' or 'uncomfortable with' the thing.
Examples in context
- 彼が好きです。I like him.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you like a person using 好きです.Tatoeba #120380 by bunbuku, translation #283629 by CK
- 茶が好きです。I like tea.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you like a beverage using 好きです.Tatoeba #2445753 by x_meta, translation #253293 by CK
- 秋が好きです。I like autumn.This sentence is useful for practicing saying you like a season using 好きです.Tatoeba #11910301 by small_snow, translation #10724903 by sundown
- 299 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are talking about their favorite hobbies.
- 蓮 Ren陽葵さんは何が好きですか？Himari-san wa nani ga suki desu ka?What do you like, Himari?
- 陽葵 Himari映画が好きです。Eiga ga suki desu.I like movies.
- 蓮 Ren僕も映画が好きです。Boku mo eiga ga suki desu.I like movies too.
- 陽葵 Himari本当ですか？嬉しいです！Hontou desu ka? Ureshii desu!Really? I'm happy!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
