大好きだよ、親友
daisuki da yo, shin'yuu
The English phrase "I love you, bestie" is translated into Japanese as 大好きだよ、親友 (daisuki da yo, shin'yuu).
This phrase is an affectionate expression used to tell a very close friend that you care about them deeply. The term 親友 refers to a best friend. However, in natural spoken Japanese, people often omit the word for "bestie" entirely and simply say daisuki da yo to convey the same feeling.
Which one should you use?
When expressing affection to friends, using 大好き is much more common and natural than using aishiteru, as the latter is reserved for intense, romantic or life-altering love.
How do you pronounce it?
daisuki da yo, shin'yuu
Did you know?
- While 大好き is used for friends, it is also the standard way to describe a favorite food, hobby or celebrity.
- Japanese culture often prioritizes 'reading the air' (kuuki wo yomu), so telling a friend 'I love you' verbally is much rarer than showing it through subtle, non-verbal actions.
- Japanese has several words for 'friend', but 親友 specifically contains the character for 'parent' or 'relative' 親, suggesting a bond as deep as family.
Example conversation
Two friends are hugging after graduation.
- 美咲 Misaki卒業おめでとう！sotsugyou omedetou!Happy graduation!
- 大翔 Hirotoありがとう、美咲。大好きだよ、親友。arigatou, Misaki. daisuki dayo, shinyuu.Thank you, Misaki. I love you, bestie.
- 美咲 Misaki私も大好きだよ、大翔！watashi mo daisuki dayo, Hiroto!I love you too, Hiroto!
- 大翔 Hirotoこれからもずっと友達だよ。kore kara mo zutto tomodachi dayo.We'll be friends forever.
