Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 好きです | suki desu | polite |
| 好き | suki | casual |
| 大好きです | daisuki desu | polite, strong |
Put the thing you like before が (ga) and then add 好きです: 寿司が好きです (sushi ga suki desu), "I like sushi". The subject 私は (watashi wa), "I", is often left out when it is clear.
Which one should you use?
大好き (daisuki) adds 大 (dai), "big", to 好き and makes the feeling stronger. It is common for food, hobbies and favourite things.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
好きです ends in the polite です (desu) and is safe with anyone. 好き without です is casual and suits friends and family.
How does it change in a sentence?
好き (suki) behaves like an adjective, so the thing you like is marked with が (ga) and not with を (o). To ask the question, add か (ka): 好きですか (suki desu ka), "Do you like it?"
How do you pronounce it?
In 好きです (suki desu) the u in す (su) is often barely voiced, so it sounds close to ski des. Keep each syllable short and even.
When do people say it?
Said alone and directly to a person, 好きです (suki desu) is also the standard way to confess romantic feelings, so the object matters when you use it.
Did you know?
- The word 大好き (daisuki) is built from 大 (dai), "big", and 好き (suki), "liked", which is why it means "really like" or "love".
Examples in context
- 私は犬が好きです。Watashi wa inu ga suki desu.I like dogs.
- このバンドが大好きです。Kono bando ga daisuki desu.I love this band.
- 寿司が好きですか。Sushi ga suki desu ka.Do you like sushi?
- ラーメン、好き？Rāmen, suki?Do you like ramen?
Example conversation
Yuki and Ken talk about food on their lunch break.
- Yukiケンさんは何の食べ物が好きですか。Ken-san wa nan no tabemono ga suki desu ka.Ken, what food do you like?
- Ken私はカレーが大好きです。Watashi wa karē ga daisuki desu.I love curry.
- Kenゆきさんは？Yuki-san wa?And you, Yuki?
- Yuki私はラーメンが好きです。Watashi wa rāmen ga suki desu.I like ramen.
