Japanese word

好き嫌い

Pronunciation

Romajisukikirai

Meaning

  • nounpreferences

Example

人の好き嫌いはそれぞれ違います。hito no su ki kira i wa so re zo re chiga i ma su

Everyone's preferences are different.

Illustration for 好き嫌い (preferences)

More examples

彼は好き嫌いが多いです。kare wa su ki kira i ga ō i de su

He is picky.

Core concept

Describes the personal pattern of being drawn to some people or things and put off by others according to taste.

Common phrases

  • 好き嫌いが多いsu ki kira i ga ō i

    be picky

  • 好き嫌いが激しいsu ki kira i ga hage shi i

    be very picky

  • 好き嫌いを言うsu ki kira i o yū

    voice one's likes and dislikes

Similar words

好みkonomi: A personal preference for particular people, things, or styles.
嗜好shikō: A person's settled preferences, especially in food, products, or activities.
好悪kōo: A person's feelings of liking or disliking toward a person or thing.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に対して好むものと嫌うものがあること。hito ya mono goto ni tai shi te kono mu mo no to kira u mo no ga a ru ko to

Word origin

The native Japanese compound 好き嫌い (sukikirai) combines 好き (suki, "liking") and 嫌い (kirai, "disliking") to express both sides of personal taste.

Usage tips

  • In conversational Japanese, 食べ物の好き嫌い (tabemono no sukikirai) often refers specifically to food preferences, while 好き嫌い (sukikirai) alone can cover broader personal tastes.

Other meanings

  • likes and dislikesnoun
  • pickinessnoun

Word lists with this word