How to say "like" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- 同じくおなじくadverb, conjunctionCovers 'like' meaning 'in the same way; likewise': it marks something as the same as what came before, typical of formal writing and lists. It never expresses liking something.
- 好むこのむgodan verb, transitive verbThe verb 'to like', with a nuance of preference — the gloss also gives 'to prefer'. Use it for what kinds of things you like, your tastes, more than for a reaction to one particular thing.
- 気に入るきにいるexpression, godan verbA verb 'to like' with the nuance of taking a liking to something: a particular thing pleases or delights you, as when you grow fond of a purchase or a gift.
- expressionCovers 'like' in the sense 'as': comparing one action or state to another, as in acting like a child or doing as you are told. Usually written in kana alone.
- 如しごとしauxiliary verbMeans 'like; as if; the same as', likening one thing to another. It belongs to written, proverb-style phrasing rather than everyday talk, so for ordinary comparisons ように is the word you want.
Use 「好む」 or 「気に入る」 for the feeling of liking something, 「ように」 for 'like' meaning 'as' in comparisons, ごとし for the same 'as if' sense, and 「同じく」 for 'like' meaning 'in the same way'.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
- 同じくおなじくin the same way
- 好むこのむto like
- 気に入るきにいるto like
- ようにlike
- 如しごとしlike
- なんというかhow should I put it?
- ライクlike
- 好くすくto like
- のようにlike
- ごとくlike
- ごときlike
- お気に召すおきにめすto like
- ようなlike
- 好まれるこのまれるto like
- 気に染むきにそむto like
- みたくlike
- 好き好むすきこのむto do something by choice
- に似てににてsimilar to
- 同様どうようsame
- くらいas ... as ...
- いいねlike (on social media)
- ぐれえas ... as ...
- 的てき(something) like
- ようlike
See also
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