What’s one of our favorite topics when chatting with friends?
Of course, it’s talking about the things we like!

And Japanese people are the same. We love talking about our own interests, and also enjoy hearing about what other people like. To be honest, many Japanese people especially love it when foreigners share what they like about Japan…

In Japanese, the go-to phrase for this is 〜が好き (ga suki).
When you want to talk about things you like, you use it with nouns. And when you want to talk about activities you enjoy, you simply add の before が好き to turn the action into a “thing” you like.

It’s one of the most useful grammar points for expressing your hobbies, interests, and favorites.

Let’s dive in!

If you want to say you don’t like something, you can simply say 好きじゃない(suki ja nai). This sounds softer and more natural in daily conversation.

The direct opposite word of 好き(suki) is きらい (kirai), which means “dislike” or even “hate.” But since it can feel too strong, many people prefer to use 好きじゃない instead.

Another option is にがて (nigate), which means “not good with / not comfortable with.” It’s often used when you want to sound polite or when you’re talking about foods, activities, or situations you have trouble with, without being too harsh.

And if you feel neutral, neither like nor dislike, you can use ふつう(futsuu).

ピザが好きです。
ぴざ が すき です。
piza ga suki desu.
I like pizza.

本を読むのが好きです。
ほん を よむ の が すき です。
hon wo yomu no ga suki desu.
I like reading books.

友達とおしゃべりするのが好きです。
ともだち と おしゃべり する の が すき です。
tomodachi to oshaberi suru no ga suki desu.
I like chatting with my friends.

ひかり先生と勉強するのが好き！
ひかりせんせい と べんきょう する の が すき！
hikari sensei to benkyou suru no ga suki!
I like studying with Hikari-sensei!

彼女がしあわせそうにケーキを食べているのを見るのが好きです。
かのじょ が しあわせ そう に けーき を たべて いる の を みる の が すき です。
kanojo ga shiawase sou ni keeki wo tabete iru no wo miru no ga suki desu.
I like watching her happily eat cake.

<Conversation Example>
A: 日本の音楽で何が好きですか？
にほん の おんがく で なに が すき です か？
nihon no ongaku de nani ga suki desu ka?
What do you like in Japanese music?

B: アニメとゲームのテーマ曲が好きです！
あにめ と げーむ の てーまきょく が すき です！
anime to geemu no teemakyoku ga suki desu!
I like anime and video game theme songs!

• Grammar Point: 〜が好き / 〜のが好き(~ga suki / ~no ga suki)
• JLPT Level: N5
• Meaning: To like, to love doing
• Quick Explanation: Use Noun + が好き to say you like something. Use Verb + のが好き to say you like doing something.
  

So that’s how we use が好き and のが好き in Japanese!
It’s one of the most useful grammar points for talking about your hobbies, interests, and even the things you don’t like.

休日、あなたは何をするのが好きですか？
きゅうじつ、あなた は なに を する の が すき です か？
kyuujitsu, anata ha nani wo suru no ga suki desu ka?
What do you like to do on your days off?

Now it’s your turn, try making your own sentences using 〜が好き / 〜のが好き!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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