How to Say ‘Like (polite)’ in Japanese
好きです
suki desu
[soo-kee dess]
💬 Usage Tip: [好きです] expresses preference. Grammar quirk: you often mark the thing you like with [が]: [読書が好きです].
🇯🇵 In Japan: In interviews, “I like…” is okay, but connecting it to skills (discipline/curiosity) makes it stronger.
Phrase Breakdown
好き
suki
[soo-kee]
liked; favorite
Na-adjective meaning "to like." Pattern: Nounが好きです = "I like (noun)." Polite and common in interviews.
私は読書が好きです。
I like reading.
です
desu
[dess]
to be (polite)
Makes the statement polite. 好きです is appropriate for interviews.
読書が好きです。
I like reading.
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