Grammar Info
N5 Lesson 4: 11/13

のが好(す)き
Like doing, Love doing

Structure
Casual
Polite
Verb[る]+ + + 好き +
Verb[る]+ + + 好き + です
Details
Part of Speech Expression
Word Type Adjectival Noun
Register Standard
品詞 表現
単語の種類 形容動詞
使用域 一般
Information
~のが好(す)き is a common construction that is used in Japanese to express that you like/love doing something. This particular expression is used with the plain (dictionary) form of verbs only.
  • 私(わたし)映画(えいが)見(み)のが好(す)き
    I like watching movies.
  • 私(わたし)プレゼント貰(もら)のが好(す)きです
    I like to receive gifts.
In these examples, we can see that there is no difference between Ichidan verbs and Godan verbs. Both will be used in their plain forms. In this expression, のが is performing the same function as in the regular のは or のが construction. This function is nominalization (turning a phrase into a noun). However, のは may not be used with this phrase, as will always always appear with adjectives.
Caution
If you want to express that you liked doing something (in the past), the verb will still remain in the plain form, but 好(す)き will change to past tense.
  • 彼(かれ)野球(やきゅう)するのが好(す)きだった
    He liked to play baseball.
  • 息子(むすこ)漢字(かんじ)書(か)のが好(す)きでした
    My son used to like to write kanjis.
This construction can also be used to ask questions about what other people like. This is done through the addition of .
  • 何(なに)するのが好(す)きです
    What do you like to do?
  • 映画(えいが)見(み)のが好(す)きです
    Do you like watching movies?
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私(わたし)サッカーするのが好(す)き
I like playing soccer.
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私(わたし)本(ほん)読(よ)むのが好(す)き
I like reading books.
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私(わたし)ラーメン食(た)べるのが好(す)きです
I like eating ramen.
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Books
Genki I
Page 157
みんなの日本語 II
Page 12 [CH 26]
みんなの日本語 II
Page 84 [CH 38]
Genki I 2nd Edition
Page 194