のが好き | Grammar

Structure

[verb (dictionary form)] + のが好き

Description

のが好き means "like doing". The verb is in the dictionary form, の turns it into a noun, and that noun takes が before 好き. The person who likes it takes は, or is left out when it is you.

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I like listening to music.

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I like reading.

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She likes taking photos.

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What do you like doing?

English "like" takes an object, which pulls learners towards を. 好き takes が, and the の can't be dropped.

× 本を読むのを好きです → 本を読むのが好きです
× 本を読むが好きです → 本を読むのが好きです

Not liking, liking a lot

好き is a な-adjective: すき好きじゃない in the negative, すき好きだった in the past. だいすき大好き is "love", and あまり with the negative is "not really". The verb stays in the dictionary form throughout.

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I don't like cleaning.

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I love swimming.

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I don't really like cooking.

、。

As a child I liked playing outside.

means the same and sounds a little more formal. With a noun there is no の at all: .

Examples

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I like watching movies.

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I like talking with friends.

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I don't like waking up early in the morning.

きごう？

Do you like drawing pictures?

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I love running.

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I used to like singing songs.

、。

When I was a child, I liked playing outside.

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I like making new dishes.

きごう？

Do you like traveling alone?

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She likes taking photos.

、。

I like playing with cats, but I also like playing with dogs.

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I don't really like waiting.

References

Like Loveimabi.org