本当に大好き
hontō ni daisuki
The English phrase "I really really like you" is translated into Japanese as 本当に大好き (hontō ni daisuki).
This phrase is a strong expression of affection or romantic interest toward another person.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of hontō ni (really/truly) and daisuki (to like a lot/to love).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Kansai region, you might hear the variation ほんまにほんまに好きやで！
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding desu to the end makes the expression polite and suitable for someone you are not yet intimate with. Adding the particles da yo at the end makes the expression sound more casual, warm and certain in a conversational way.
How do you pronounce it?
hontō ni daisuki
Did you know?
- In Japan, the word 好き (suki), which means 'like', is frequently used to express 'love' in romantic contexts. Because the word 愛している (aishiteiru) is considered extremely heavy and dramatic, most couples use 大好き to express deep romantic affection.
- The word 大好き (daisuki) contains the character 大, which means 'big'. While it translates to 'really like', it literally communicates a 'big like', making the feeling sound more physical and substantial.
- The phrase hontō ni can be used as a question to express disbelief, making the tone of the phrase change entirely based on the rising intonation at the end.
Examples in context
- ホントに好きなの！いつも一緒にいると本当に楽しいんだ。I really really like you! It's so much fun always being together.
- 健太くんのことが本当に大好き。Kenta-kun no koto ga hontō ni daisuki.I really really like you, Kenta.
- あなたのことが本当に大好きです。Anata no koto ga hontō ni daisuki desu.I really really like you.
- 本当に大好きだから、付き合ってください。Hontō ni daisuki dakara, tsukiatte kudasai.I really really like you, so please go out with me.
Example conversation
Misaki confesses her feelings to Kenta at a park.
- 美咲 Misaki健太くん、前から本当に大好きだったの。Kenta-kun, mae kara hontō ni daisuki datta no.Kenta, I've really really liked you for a long time.
- 健太 Kenta本当？僕も美咲さんのことが大好きだよ。Hontō? Boku mo Misaki-san no koto ga daisuki da yo.Really? I really like you too, Misaki.
- 美咲 Misaki嬉しい！ずっと言いたかったんだ。Ureshii! Zutto iitakatta nda.I'm so happy! I've wanted to say that forever.
- 健太 Kentaこれからも、ずっと一緒にいようね。Kore kara mo, zutto issho ni iyō ne.Let's stay together from now on, too.
