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道Nihongo Path
好

好·like, fond of, favourable

On-yomi
コウ
Kun-yomi
このむすく

By Nihongo PathUpdated

Stroke order

Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.

6 strokes, numbered in writing order. Data: KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Common words

WordReadingMeaning
好きすきliked, favourite
大好きだいすきto love, to like very much
好むこのむto prefer, to be fond of
好みこのみtaste, preference

Example sentences

  1. 私は甘いものが好きです。

    わたしはあまいものがすきです。

    I like sweet things.

  2. 子どもたちはこの歌が大好きです。

    こどもたちはこのうたがだいすきです。

    The children love this song.

  3. 父は静かな場所を好む。

    ちちはしずかなばしょをこのむ。

    My father prefers quiet places.

Common mistakes

  • Treating 好き as a verb — it is a な-adjective, so the thing liked takes が, not を
  • Using 好む in casual speech; 好き is the everyday word, 好む is bookish

Memory aid

Picture it

女 (woman) beside 子 (child) — a mother with her child, the picture of holding something dear.

Vocabulary using this kanji

Quick check

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What does the kanji 好 mean?