Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase 寿司が好きです is the formal way to state your preference. For informal situations, such as speaking with friends or family, you can use 寿司が好き! by dropping the です at the end of the phrase.
Is it said differently in some regions?
You can specify the style of sushi you enjoy in certain areas. In the Edo/Tokyo region, you can say Edomae-ryū no sushi ga suki desu to mean "I like Edomae sushi." In Hokkaido, you can say Hokkaidō-ryū no sushi ga suki desu to mean "I like Hokkaido-style sushi." In the Kansai region, you can use Kansai-ryū no sushi ga suki desu to express "I like Kansai-style sushi."
How does it change in a sentence?
The word for "like" is suki, which functions as a na-adjective in Japanese rather than a verb. To express that you liked sushi in the past, change the ending to 寿司が好きでした. To express that you do not like sushi, create the negative form by changing です to ではありません or じゃありません.
How do you pronounce it?
sushi ga suki desu
Did you know?
- In Japan, the word sushi actually refers to the vinegared rice, not the fish topping. This means that if you say you like sushi, you are technically expressing your love for the seasoned rice.
- The word suki is also used in the expression suki da yo, which can be a romantic confession meaning 'I love you' depending on the context.
- The word sushi is derived from an ancient word meaning 'sour' or 'sour-tasting'. This refers to the fermentation process that originally preserved the fish before the modern style of fresh fish was developed.
Examples in context
- 寿司が好きです。I like sushi.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase 寿司が好きです.Tatoeba #882485 by arihato, translation #810883 by Zaphod
- 子供の頃から寿司が好きです。Kodomo no koro kara sushi ga suki desu.I have liked sushi since I was a child.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are discussing what to eat for dinner.
- 美咲 Misaki今日の夕食は何がいい？Kyou no yuushoku wa nani ga ii?What would you like for dinner today?
- 陽太 Yota僕は寿司が好きです。Boku wa sushi ga suki desu.I like sushi.
- 美咲 Misakiいいですね。私も寿司が好きです。Ii desu ne. Watashi mo sushi ga suki desu.That sounds good. I like sushi too.
- 陽太 Yotaじゃあ、お寿司にしよう！Jaa, osushi ni shiyou!Then let's have sushi!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
