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How to Say ‘Is popular’ in Japanese

が人気です。

ga ninki desu

[gah neen-kee dess]

💬 Usage Tip: [が] marks the subject, and [人気です] means "is popular." It often follows a dish name.

🇯🇵 In Japan: Staff often recommend items by saying they are popular, not only delicious. Social proof works in every language!

Phrase Breakdown

ga

[gah]

subject marker

A particle marking the item being identified or emphasized.

Example

ハンバーグが人気ですのがは、人気の物を示します。

In “Hamburger steak is popular,” ga marks the popular item.

人気

ninki

[neen-kee]

popular

Often liked, chosen, or well-received by many customers.

Example

この店では魚料理が人気です。

At this restaurant, the fish dishes are popular.

です

desu

[dess]

is; polite copula

A polite verb-like word used to state or identify something.

Example

それが人気ですと店員が説明しました。

The staff explained, “That is popular.”

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