What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of several parts: アイスクリーム (ice cream), the particle が which marks the object of liking and 大好きです which means "to love" or "to really like".
Which one should you use?
The phrase アイスクリームが大好きです is a polite, standard way to express your preference. You can make the phrase more informal by dropping the desu at the end, resulting in アイスクリームが大好き. In very casual conversation, the full word aisukurīmu is often shortened to just アイス.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
There are several ways to express this depending on the setting. For a formal way to say "I love ice cream", you can use 私はアイスクリームが大好きです, where 私 is a common pronoun for "I" or "me". For a polite and standard expression, use アイスクリームが大好きです. In casual or informal settings, such as speaking with friends or family, you can use 僕はアイスクリームが大好きだよ (where 僕 is an informal pronoun for "I" commonly used by males) or simply アイスクリームが大好き.
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle が is used to mark アイスクリーム as the specific thing that is being liked. Additionally, the colloquial contraction って can be used as a replacement for the particle と to mark a quotation.
How do you pronounce it?
aisukurīmu ga daisuki desu
Did you know?
- To express a 'strong liking' for something, Japanese uses the prefix 大 meaning 'big', effectively turning 'like' into 'big like'.
- Japanese has a specific word もちアイス for 'mochi ice cream', a popular treat consisting of ice cream wrapped in a chewy rice cake.
- While 'love' in English can feel heavy or romantic, the word 大好き is used very commonly for everyday things like food, hobbies, or even certain colors.
Examples in context
- アイスクリームが大好きです。I love ice cream.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase アイスクリームが大好きです.Tatoeba #753491 by modelqueen13, translation #740936 by CK
- 田中さんはアイスクリームが大好きです。Tanaka-san loves ice cream.
- アイスクリームってほんま好きやなあ。I really love ice cream
- 子供の頃から、アイスクリームが大好きです。kodomo no koro kara, aisukuriimu ga daisuki desu.I have loved ice cream since I was a child.
Example conversation
Misaki and Yota are talking about their favorite desserts.
- 陽太 Yota美咲さんは何が好きですか？misaki san wa nani ga suki desu kaWhat do you like, Misaki?
- 美咲 Misaki私はアイスクリームが大好きです。watashi wa aisukuriimu ga daisuki desuI love ice cream.
- 陽太 Yotaいいですね。一緒に食べに行きましょう。ii desu ne. issho ni tabe ni ikimashouThat's nice. Let's go eat some together.
- 美咲 Misakiはい、ぜひ！hai, zehi!Yes, I'd love to!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
