2d (edited) • General discussion
Japanese in Real Life: How to Say “I Like You” and “I Love You” in Japanese
One of the most confusing parts of Japanese for learners is how to express feelings. In English, people often say “I like you” or “I love you” directly. In Japanese, however, emotions—especially romantic ones—are usually expressed more subtly.
Understanding the difference between liking a person and liking things such as food, places, or activities is essential for real-life communication.
❤️ Talking About Liking or Loving a Person
「好きです」(suki desu)
This is the most natural and commonly used phrase to express romantic interest.
- 好きです。→ I like you.
In many situations, this already implies romantic feelings, even though the word literally means “like.”
A slightly clearer but still natural version:
- 〇〇さんのこと、好きです。→ I like you, [name].
A casual form used between close people:
- 好き。→ Very direct and personal.
「愛してる」(aishiteru)
This phrase directly means “I love you,” but it is very rarely used in everyday Japanese.
- It sounds extremely strong
- It is usually reserved for serious relationships, marriage, or dramatic situations
- Saying it too early can feel heavy or unnatural
In real life, most Japanese people do not use this phrase often, even with long-term partners.
How Love Is Often Expressed Instead
Rather than saying “I love you,” people often show care through words and actions, such as:
- 一緒にいたい→ I want to be with you.
- 大切にするよ→ I’ll take care of you.
- 無理しないでね→ Don’t push yourself.
These expressions often communicate deeper feelings than direct statements.
🍣 Talking About Liking or Loving Things
When talking about food, places, or activities, Japanese is much more direct.
「好きです」 for things
- 寿司が好きです。→ I like sushi.
- 日本が好きです。→ I like Japan.
- ハイキングが好きです。→ I like hiking.
This usage is completely natural and very common.
「大好き」(daisuki)
This means “really like” or “love” and is frequently used for things.
- ラーメンが大好き！→ I love ramen!
- この町が大好きです。→ I love this town.
Using 大好き for food, places, and hobbies sounds friendly and natural.
⚠️ A Key Real-Life Difference
While 大好き is normal for things, using it for a person can sound very strong, depending on the situation and relationship.
ContextNatural ExpressionRomantic interest好きですDeep / serious love愛してる (rare)Food / hobbies好き・大好きDaily communicationShow feelings indirectly
🌱 Final Thought
In Japanese, expressing feelings is less about strong words and more about timing, tone, and behavior. You don’t need dramatic expressions to be understood—often, simple words and considerate actions say much more.
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Japanese in Real Life: How to Say “I Like You” and “I Love You” in Japanese
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