お気に入り
okiniiri[o̞kʲiɲ̟iiɾʲi]
The Japanese phrase for "my favorite" is お気に入り (okiniiri).
お気に入り is used to refer to a person or thing that is liked more than all others of the same kind. You can use daisuki desu to express that you love something.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of the honorific prefix o and the verb ki ni iru, which literally means "to fall into one's mind/heart".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The inclusion of the o prefix makes お気に入り a polite term suitable for general use. For a more formal way to say "My most favorite (noun) is…", you can use Watashi no ichiban sukina (noun) desu.
How does it change in a sentence?
When used as a noun meaning "a favorite" (for example, "This is my favorite"), use the form お気に入り. When you want to modify a noun directly, such as "favorite song", use the adjectival form お気に入りの.
How do you pronounce it?
okiniiri
Did you know?
- While お気に入り refers to a favorite thing, the word 推し 'oshi' is used to describe a favorite idol or character that one actively supports and promotes.
- Japanese has a specific word, 十八番 'ohako', for a 'favorite' performance or talent that a person is best known for showing off.
- The word 気 'ki' in お気に入り refers to a person's inner energy or spirit, suggesting that a favorite item literally enters one's vital essence.
Examples in context
- これね、お気に入りなんだ。This is my favorite.This sentence is useful for identifying something as your favorite using お気に入り.Tatoeba #11038425 by small_snow, translation #2647581 by CK
- それが私のお気に入りの歌だ。It's my favorite song.This sentence shows how to use お気に入り to describe a favorite song.Tatoeba #205869 by bunbuku, translation #43116 by CK
- これね、私のお気に入りの服なの。This is my favorite outfit.This sentence demonstrates the use of お気に入り when describing a favorite outfit.Tatoeba #10156009 by small_snow, translation #5401058 by Hybrid
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Yui are looking at books in a cafe.
- 結衣 Yuiこの本、お気に入りなの。Kono hon, okiniri nano.This book is my favorite.
- 健太 Kenta結衣のお気に入りなんだね。Yui no okiniri nanda ne.It's your favorite, then.
- 結衣 Yuiうん、何度も読んでるよ。Un, nando mo yonderu yo.Yeah, I've read it many times.
- 健太 Kentaそれは素敵な本だね。Sore wa suteki na hon da ne.That's a lovely book.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry お気に入り, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
