音楽が好き
ongaku ga suki
The phrase for "I like music" in Japanese is 音楽が好き (ongaku ga suki).
This phrase is used to express a general fondness or preference for music.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 好き (suki) is actually an adjective meaning "likable" or "pleasing" rather than a verb.
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the particle が (ga) is used to mark the object of your affection, which is music. This is used instead of a direct object marker.
How do you pronounce it?
ongaku ga suki
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly say 音楽を好き (ongaku wo suki) because they treat "music" as a direct object as they do in English. Instead, use the particle が to mark the thing you like.
Did you know?
- In casual conversation, the word 好き is frequently used as a shorthand to confess romantic love to someone, regardless of whether the word 'love' is used.
- The word 音楽 (ongaku) is composed of two characters meaning 'sound' and '樂', the latter of which also means 'comfort' or 'pleasure'.
- In Japanese, you can omit 'I' entirely and just say 音楽が好き (ongaku ga suki) if it is clear from context that you are talking about yourself.
Examples in context
- 私は音楽が好きです。I like music.Tatoeba #2318276 by arnab, translation #2318277 by CM
- 音楽が好きで、毎日聴いています。I like music, and I listen to it every day.Tatoeba #191816 by KK_kaku_, translation #28978 by CM
- 昔から音楽が好きです。mukashi kara ongaku ga suki desu.I have liked music since a long time ago.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their hobbies at a cafe.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣さんは、趣味は何ですか？Yui-san wa, shumi wa nan desu ka?Yui, what are your hobbies?
- 結衣 Yui私は音楽が好きです。Watashi wa ongaku ga suki desu.I like music.
- 大翔 Hirotoそうなんですね。どんな曲を聴きますか？Sou nan desu ne. Donna kyoku o kikimasu ka?I see. What kind of songs do you listen to?
- 結衣 Yuiジャズをよく聴きます。Jazu o yoku kikimasu.I often listen to jazz.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
