大好き
daisuki[da̠isɨ̥kʲi]
The English phrase "I like you so much" is expressed in Japanese as 大好き (daisuki).
This phrase is used to express strong affection or love for another person. In Japanese, the subject (I) and the object (you) are often omitted when the context makes it clear who is being addressed.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the prefix 大 (dai), meaning big or great and 好き (suki), meaning like.
Which one should you use?
While 大好き is a common way to express deep affection, the term 愛してる is used for a much heavier and more serious sense of romantic love.
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the phrase 大好き polite and suitable for most social situations, you can add です to the end to form 大好きです.
How do you pronounce it?
daisuki
Did you know?
- Depending on the context, 大好き can be used by children to tell their parents they love them, making it a versatile phrase for both romantic and familial bonds.
- If you say 大好き to a stranger or someone of much higher social status, it can sound overly familiar or even intrusive.
- In Japanese pop culture and anime, characters often confess their love using 大好き because the alternative, 愛してる, is considered too intense or dramatic for a first confession.
Examples in context
- あなたがとても好きです。I like you so much.
- ほんとうに好き！I really like you!
- 君のことが本当に大好きだよ。Kimi no koto ga hontou ni daisuki da yo.I really like you so much.
- ずっと大好きでした。Zutto daisuki deshita.I have loved you so much for a long time.
Example conversation
A couple is talking during a walk in the park.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、大好きだよ。Yui, daisuki da yo.Yui, I love you so much.
- 結衣 Yui私も大翔が大好き！Watashi mo Hiroto ga daisuki!I love you too, Hiroto!
- 大翔 Hirotoこれからもよろしくね。Kore kara mo yoroshiku ne.I look forward to our future together.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、よろしくね。Un, yoroshiku ne.Yeah, same here.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 大好き, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
