Japanese grammar
What does ～が好きです／上手です mean? Japanese grammar N5
～が好きです／上手です means like ~ / good at ~.
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N が 好きです N が 上手です N が わかります |
| Romaji | ~ ga suki desu / jōzu desu |
| Meaning | like ~ / good at ~ |
How to use it
Expresses a preference or ability.
- 好き・嫌い・上手・下手・じょうず are na-ADJECTIVES, not verbs — so the object takes が, NOT を.
- This is the number-one mistake for Vietnamese speakers, because Vietnamese "like something" looks like an object structure.
- A full sentence is usually: 「わたしは + N が + 好きです。」— は for the topic, が for the object.
- 上手 is used to talk about someone ELSE's ability; when speaking humbly about yourself, avoid 上手 and use 好き or できます instead.
Examples
わたしは音楽が好きです。
I like music.
田中さんは料理が上手です。
Mr. Tanaka is good at cooking.
Common mistakes
-
Wrongわたしは音楽を好きです。
Correctわたしは音楽が好きです。
好き is a na-adjective → the object takes が, not を.
Exam tips
- 「音楽が好き」 — exams love trapping learners here with を.