Japanese grammar · ≈ JLPT N5 · Beginner 1
〜が好きです／嫌いです~ ga suki desu / kirai desu
likes and dislikes
Use 「〜が好きです／嫌いです」 to express what you like or dislike, including activities.
How it works
When talking about hobbies or choosing food, use these two patterns to express your likes and dislikes.
The orange 「が」 in the picture follows the thing you like or dislike and shows what it is.
Use a noun for the thing you like or dislike. Activity names such as 「読書」 and 「サッカー」 work too.
To say you do not like something, change 「好きです」 to 「好きじゃありません」.
Add 「か」 to ask about likes and dislikes. Answer 「はい」 if you like it and 「いいえ」 if you do not.
When asking about something specific, use 「は」 to introduce it as the topic. 「は」 is also common when contrasting different things.
「あまり好きじゃありません」 means “I don’t like it very much” and lets you express your feelings gently.
「好きじゃありません」 simply says you do not like it; 「嫌いです」 expresses dislike more directly.
Example sentences
- 読書dokushoがga好きです。sukidesu
I like reading.
- サッカーsakkaaがga嫌いkiraiです。desu
I dislike soccer.
In a conversation
- Aどんな食べ物が好きですか。
A: What kind of food do you like?
- B辛い料理が好きです。でも、とても辛い
Check yourself
Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
I like reading.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
とても辛い料理 ありません。
I don't like very spicy food.
More grammar in this theme
- 〜が好きです／嫌いですlikes and dislikes
