What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "I like the things/the essence of you very much" because of the inclusion of koto (things/matters).
Which one should you use?
The base form 好きです (suki desu) means "I like you", but adding the prefix dai to create 大好き (daisuki) intensifies the sentiment to "I like you very much" or "I love you".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
あなたのことが大好きです is a polite and standard way to express your feelings because of the use of desu at the end. For a more formal way to say "I really like you", you can use あなたがとても好きです. In informal settings, such as among friends or family, you might use the shorter 大好き to mean "I like you a lot" or use the informal phrase 君がとても好き to say "I really like you".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the sentence structure of あなたのことが大好きです, the particle ga is used to mark the object of affection.
How do you pronounce it?
anata no koto ga daisuki desu
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often over-use あなた (you) in Japanese. However, in natural Japanese, it is more common to use the person's name instead of あなた when expressing affection.
Did you know?
- In Japan, the act of confessing romantic feelings is called kokuhaku. It is a specific social ritual where one person explicitly states their feelings to initiate a relationship.
- The word 好き (suki) is actually an adjective meaning 'likable' rather than a verb meaning 'to like'. You are essentially saying the other person is in a state of being 'very likable' to you.
- While 大好き is used for romantic love, it is also the standard way to tell a friend you love their favorite food, a hobby, or a cute animal.
Examples in context
- あなたのことが大好きです。I like you very much.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase あなたのことが大好きです.Tatoeba #1452394 by bunbuku, translation #257095 by CK
- ずっと前から、あなたのことが大好きです。Zutto mae kara, anata no koto ga daisuki desu.I have liked you very much for a long time.
- 本当の気持ちです。あなたのことが大好きです。Hontou no kimochi desu. Anata no koto ga daisuki desu.I am being serious. I like you very much.
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are walking in a park at sunset.
- 結衣 Yui健太さん、実は、あなたのことが大好きです。Kenta-san, jitsu wa, anata no koto ga daisuki desu.Kenta, actually, I like you very much.
- 健太 Kentaえっ、本当に？僕も結衣さんのことが大好きだよ。E, hontou ni? Boku mo Yui-san no koto ga daisuki da yo.Wait, really? I like you very much too, Yui.
- 結衣 Yui嬉しい！ずっと言いたかったんです。Ureshii! Zutto iitakatta n desu.I'm so happy! I've wanted to say that for a long time.
- 健太 Kentaこれからも、ずっと一緒にいようね。Kore kara mo, zutto issho ni iyou ne.Let's stay together from now on, too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
