🇯🇵 Japanese phrases

How to Say "I like you" in Japanese

The SPAIKING TeamJuly 27, 2026
好きです
"I like you" in Japanese · say it like skee desu

The most natural way to say "I like you" in Japanese is 好きです. Tap the speaker above to hear it, then say it back out loud. That is the fastest way to make it stick.

Other ways to say it

好きだ
more casual, often used among friends
あなたが好きです
more explicit, emphasizes 'you'

When to use it

Use this phrase when you want to express your feelings towards someone in a friendly or romantic way. It is appropriate in both casual and formal situations. Adjust the level of formality based on your relationship with the person.

Say it out loud, get corrected

Reading it is not the same as saying it. Practice "I like you" and thousands more with an AI coach that listens.

Examples in Japanese

JapanesePronunciationEnglish
君が好きです。kimi ga suki desu.I like you.
彼女が好きだ。kanojo ga suki da.I like her.
Common mistake
A common mistake is to use '好き' alone without 'です' in formal situations, which can sound too abrupt.

The fastest way to remember it

Vocabulary you only read fades fast. Vocabulary you say out loud sticks. Hear 好きです, repeat it a few times, then use it in a real sentence. SPAIKING lets you practice exactly that, speaking Japanese with a coach that corrects your pronunciation in real time. You can start with two free conversations.

Frequently asked questions

Is it okay to say '好き' to someone I just met?

It's better to use '好きです' to sound more polite and respectful.

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