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Love · Japanese

How to say “i like you” in Japanese

Practice this phrase

i like you

Japanese · 日本語

polite

Translation

好きです

Romanization

Suki desu

Pronunciation

soo-kee dess

When to use it

Use this with someone you are emotionally close to. It can feel intimate, so avoid using it too early with strangers. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.

Example

好きです — a direct line you might say privately to a partner for "i like you".

Same situation

Use these with i like you in Japanese

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FAQ

Common questions

How do you say "i like you" in Japanese?+

You say "好きです" in Japanese. The romanized form is "Suki desu", and a simple pronunciation cue is "soo-kee dess".

Is this phrase formal or casual?+

This entry is marked as polite. The usage note explains when the phrase is appropriate and when you should soften it.

How do you pronounce it?+

Use "soo-kee dess" as a learner-friendly pronunciation cue. The romanization is "Suki desu".

When should I use it?+

Use this with someone you are emotionally close to. It can feel intimate, so avoid using it too early with strangers. In Japanese, tone and relationship matter; when unsure, choose a polite version or soften your delivery.