JLPT N5 grammar · Core Particles & Actions

[Noun] が好すき/きらい/上手じょうず/下手へた: meaning, usage and examples

[Noun] が好すき/きらい/上手じょうず/下手へた means: like/dislike/be good at/be bad at [Noun].

Updated 9 November 2026 · By the My Senpai team · Spotted a mistake? Tell us

Examples

1. 私わたしは運転うんてんが下手へたです。

   I'm not good at driving.

2. 私わたしはスポーツが好すきです。

   I like sports.

3. 姉あねは料理りょうりが上手じょうずです。

   My older sister is good at cooking.

4. 私わたしは魚さかながきらいです。

   I don’t like fish.

When to use it

Use が (not を) with these semi-adjective predicates to mark what you like, dislike, are good or bad at.

Nuance

These are な-adjectives that act as predicates. They take が for their object, which surprises English speakers.

Compare

が好すき = 'like'. を好このむ is a more formal/literary verb for 'prefer/like'.

Tip: Japanese speakers often say 得意とくい (とくい) for 'good at' in a natural context over 上手じょうず.