好きだと思う
suki da to omou
In Japanese, "I think I like you" is expressed as 好きだと思う (suki da to omou).
This phrase is used to express a developing romantic interest in someone. While it expresses affection, it is more indirect than simply saying 好きだ, which is a more direct and common way to confess romantic feelings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of suki (like), da (is/copula), to (quotation particle) and omou (to think).
Which one should you use?
好きだと思う frames the feeling as a personal thought, adding a layer of subjectivity. This contrasts with 好きです, which is a direct declaration of affection. For a more tentative tone, you can use 好きかもしれない or 好きかも to say "I might like you", emphasizing the possibility of your feelings.
How do you pronounce it?
suki da to omou
Did you know?
- In Japan, a formal romantic confession is called kokuhaku. Using 好きだと思う often serves as the catalyst for this specific social ritual to establish a relationship.
- The word 好き is grammatically an adjective rather than a verb. This is why it requires the copula だ or です to function as a predicate, unlike the English verb 'like'.
- If you say 好きかも to someone, you are using a contraction of 'maybe', which is a common way in modern Japanese to sound 'kawaii' or cute by being intentionally vague and soft in your approach.
Examples in context
- 何か、最近あの人のこと気になるなあ。You know, I've been kind of interested in that person recently.
- 実は、あなたのことが好きだと思うんだ。Jitsu wa, anata no koto ga suki da to omou nda.Actually, I think I like you.
- 少しずつ、君が好きだと思うようになってきた。Sukoshizutsu, kimi ga suki da to omou you ni natte kita.Little by little, I've come to think that I like you.
Example conversation
Hiroto confesses his feelings to Yui at a park during sunset.
- 大翔 Hiroto結衣、実は君のことが好きだと思う。Yui, jitsu wa kimi no koto ga suki da to omou.Yui, actually, I think I like you.
- 結衣 Yuiえっ、本当に？私も同じ気持ちだよ。E', hontou ni? Watashi mo onaji kimochi da yo.Eh, really? I feel the same way.
- 大翔 Hirotoよかった、すごく緊張したよ。Yokatta, sugoku kinchou shita yo.I'm glad, I was so nervous.
- 結衣 Yui大翔くんの勇気が嬉しかった。Hiroto-kun no yuuki ga ureshikatta.I was happy about your courage, Hiroto.
