Mark what someone likes or dislikes with が: 猫が好きです. Compare the examples and table, then try the exercises.
The idea
Mark what someone likes or dislikes with が: 猫が好きです. 好き and 嫌い behave as な-adjectives; put な before a noun, as in 好きな食べ物. The polite negative 好きじゃないです says that someone does not like something.
| Form | Example |
|---|---|
| 猫が | 好きです／嫌いです |
| 好き | 好きな食べ物 |
| 好き | 好きじゃないです |
Examples
- 私は音楽が好きです。I like music.
- 姉は猫が好きです。My older sister likes cats.
- 弟は魚が嫌いです。My younger brother dislikes fish.
- コーヒーは好きじゃないです。I do not like coffee.
- あなたは何が好きですか。What do you like?
- 好きな食べ物はうどんです。My favourite food is udon.
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Watch out
嫌い can sound strong; 好きじゃない is often a gentler way to express a dislike. は can replace が for contrast.
Try it yourself
Choose the correct option. 猫＿＿好きです。（が／を）
Show answer or example answer
が
が — Mark what someone likes or dislikes with が: 猫が好きです.
Choose the correct option. 好き＿＿食べ物はうどんです。（な／の）
Show answer or example answer
な
な — 好き and 嫌い behave as な-adjectives; put な before a noun, as in 好きな食べ物.
Choose the correct option. コーヒーは好き＿＿。（じゃないです／くないです）
Show answer or example answer
じゃないです
じゃないです — The polite negative 好きじゃないです says that someone does not like something.
Practice round
Answer questions, then rebuild Japanese sentences where available. We keep your score.
Choose the correct option. 猫＿＿好きです。（が／を）
Choose the correct option. 好き＿＿食べ物はうどんです。（な／の）
Choose the correct option. コーヒーは好き＿＿。（じゃないです／くないです）
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Make two sentences about your own life with this pattern. Check their form and meaning against the examples.