Japanese word

好き

Pronunciation

Romajisuki

Meaning

  • na-adjectivelike

Example

私は猫が好きです。watashi wa neko ga su ki de su

I like cats.

Illustration for 好き (like)

More examples

私はりんごが好きです。watashi wa ri n go ga su ki de su

I like apples.

母は朝に散歩するのが好きです。haha wa asa ni san po su ru no ga su ki de su

My mother likes taking walks in the morning.

Core concept

Expresses a warm personal preference that makes someone or something appealing to a person.

Common phrases

  • 音楽が好きon gaku ga su ki

    like music

Similar words

大好きdaisuki: Expresses very strong personal liking for a person, thing, or activity.

Definition in Japanese

人や物事に好意をもち、気に入っているさま。hito ya mono goto ni kō i o mo chi ki ni hai tte i ru sa ma

Word origin

好き (suki) is traditionally explained as the stem-based adjectival form of the native Japanese verb 好く (suku, "to like").

Usage tips

  • Although 好き (suki) is often translated as "like," it behaves as a な形容詞 (na keiyōshi), so 好きな本 (suki na hon) means "a book someone likes."

Opposites

Word lists with this word