が好きです
ga suki desu
The Japanese phrase for "I like something" is が好きです (ga suki desu).
This phrase is used to express that you like or are fond of something. By adding 大 (big) to the front of 好き, you create 大好き, which expresses a much stronger preference or that you really love something. Note that while 大好き can mean "I love (it)!", it is not used as frequently as the English phrase "I love you" is used in English.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase が好きです is a common way to express liking something in formal Japanese. To make the phrase informal and suitable for friends or family, you can drop the です to use が好き. Another informal version is 好きだよ.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word 好き is actually a na-adjective meaning 'likable' or 'fond of', rather than a verb.
How do you pronounce it?
ga suki desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the particle を instead of が because they are translating the English transitive verb 'to like'.
Did you know?
- The word 好き is often used in Japanese song lyrics and anime to create a 'confession' scene, which is a specific cultural trope known as kokuhaku.
- If you want to say you like someone intensely, avoid using 愛しています (ai shite imasu). While this translates to 'I love you', it is extremely heavy and dramatic, whereas 大好き is a much more natural way to express deep affection.
- To express a strong dislike, you cannot simply add a 'not' to 好き. Instead, you use the word 嫌い, which is also a na-adjective meaning 'dislikeable' or 'hateful'.
Examples in context
- 私は日本の食べ物が好きです。I like Japanese food.
- この歌、すごく好きだよ。I really like this song.
- この映画、すごく大好き！I love this movie!
- りんごが好きです。Ringo ga suki desu.I like apples.
- 猫が好きです。Neko ga suki desu.I like cats.
Example conversation
Himari and Yamato are talking about movies.
- 陽葵 Himari大翔さんは、どんな映画が好きですか？Yamato-san wa, donna eiga ga suki desu ka?Yamato, what kind of movies do you like?
- 大翔 Hiroto僕はアクション映画が好きです。Boku wa akushon eiga ga suki desu.I like action movies.
- 陽葵 Himariいいですね。私はアニメ映画が好きです。Ii desu ne. Watashi wa anime eiga ga suki desu.That's nice. I like anime movies.
- 大翔 Hiroto今度、おすすめを教えてください。Kondo, osusume o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me your recommendations next time.
