Japanese Word of the Day #6: Suki

Word: すき
Kanji: 好き
Romaji: suki
Type: adjective (な)
Meaning: to like

The word 好きcan be used by a person to express that he likes something or someone. This word can be heard or read mostly everywhere: Japanese dramas, magazines, newspapers, anime , documentaries, and yes, even as far as conversations. To express that you like something, a simple sentence pattern like “が好きです (ga suki desu). Change ですto だif you wish to make it less formal.

Kanji Dissection:

女 (woman, female) + 子(child) = 好

好き’s first character is formed using two kanji radicals: 女(おんな / onna) and 子(こ/ ko). 女means “a woman” while 子pertains to “a child”. “A mother and a child” is considered a symbol of love, thus it’s used to express fondness over something as well.

On a special note, you can add the kanji 大(だい / dai – meaning big) before the word. 大好き(だいすき / daisuki) literally means “big like” but translated, means “really like”.

Sample sentences:

ケーキが好きです。
Kēki ga suki desu.
I like cakes.

ヨーロッパでイタリアが一番好きなところです。
Yōropa de Itaria ga ichiban suki na tokoro desu.
Italy is my most favorite place in Europe.

あなたが好きだ。
Anata ga suki da.
I like you.

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