JLPT N5 Grammar
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Like doing
Category: Adjectives & Descriptors
The grammar pattern "〜のが好き" is used to express that someone likes doing an activity. It emphasizes the act of doing something rather than the result or the object itself. This pattern is often used in casual conversations and is a common way to describe hobbies or interests. For example, "私は読むのが好きです" means "I like reading". The pattern can also be used to describe activities that are not necessarily hobbies, such as "私は運動のが好きです" which means "I like exercising".
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Verb dictionary form | Verb dictionary form + のが + 好き(すき)です | 読むのが好きです |
| Verb dictionary form | Verb dictionary form + ことが + 好き(すき)です | 読むことが好きです |
| Verb dictionary form | Verb dictionary form + のが + 好き(すき)です (with の instead of こと for more casual tone) | 読むのが好きです |
私は料理のが好きです。
Watashi wa ryōri no ga suki desu.
I like cooking.
私は (I) + 料理 (cooking) + の (nounizer) + が (subject marker) + 好き (like) + です (polite ending)
姉は音楽を聴くのが好きです。
Ane wa ongaku o kiku no ga suki desu.
My sister likes listening to music.
姉 (sister) + は (topic marker) + 音楽 (music) + を (object marker) + 聴く (listen) + の (nounizer) + が (subject marker) + 好き (like) + です (polite ending)
友達と旅行のが好きです。
Tomodachi to ryokō no ga suki desu.
I like traveling with friends.
友達 (friends) + と (comitative particle) + 旅行 (travel) + の (nounizer) + が (subject marker) + 好き (like) + です (polite ending)
私は読書のが好きです。
Watashi wa dokusho no ga suki desu.
I like reading.
私は (I) + 読書 (reading) + の (nounizer) + が (subject marker) + 好き (like) + です (polite ending)
姉は運動のが好きです。
Ane wa undō no ga suki desu.
My sister likes exercising.
姉 (sister) + は (topic marker) + 運動 (exercise) + の (nounizer) + が (subject marker) + 好き (like) + です (polite ending)
This pattern is used to express a preference for doing an activity, rather than a preference for the result or object of the activity. It is often used in casual conversations and is a common way to describe hobbies or interests. The pattern can also be used to describe activities that are not necessarily hobbies, such as exercising or cooking.
Using ます-form instead of dictionary form before のが is a common mistake. For example, "私は読みますのが好きです" is incorrect, while "私は読むのが好きです" is correct.
Using を instead of が with 好き is a common mistake. For example, "私は読むのを好きです" is incorrect, while "私は読むのが好きです" is correct.
Confusing のが好き (like doing) with が好き without の for nouns is a common mistake. For example, "私は本が好きです" is incorrect, while "私は本を読むのが好きです" is correct.
When answering questions that use this pattern, make sure to use the dictionary form of the verb before のが, and use が with 好き. Also, be careful not to confuse this pattern with が好き without の for nouns.
私は______のが好きです。
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