Introduction
In this blog post, we will learn how to use verb short forms with の to describe actions you like, dislike, or are good or bad at doing. This is a useful structure for talking about your preferences and skills in Japanese.
What It Means
A verb short form + の turns a verb into a noun describing an action. This allows you to combine it with 好きです (sukidesu, like), きらいです (kiraidesu, dislike), 上手です (jouzudesu, good at), and 下手です (hetadesu, bad at).
When You Use It
Use this structure when you want to talk about activities you enjoy, dislike, or are skilled at.
Examples
- （私は）テニスをするのが好きです。 (Watashi wa tenisu o suru noga sukidesu.) – I like playing tennis.
- （私は）勉強するのがきらいです。 (Watashi wa benkyou suru noga kiraidesu.) – I don’t like studying.
- りくさんは英語を話すのが上手です。 (Riku-san wa eigo o hanasu noga jouzudesu.) – Riku is good at speaking English.
- マリアさんは料理をするのが下手です。 (Maria-san wa ryouri o suru noga hetadesu.) – Maria is bad at cooking.
Note
To describe one’s skills or lack of that, you can also use -がとくいです (tokuideus, comfortable with) and -がにがてです (nigate, uncomfortable with). 私は日本語を話すのがとくいです。 (Watashi wa nihongo o hanasu noga tokuidesu.) – I am good at/comfortable with speaking Japanese. 私は泳ぐのがにがてです。 (Watashi wa oyogu noga nigatedesu.) – I am bad at/uncomfortable with swimming.
上手 (jouzu) and 下手 (heta) can be used to describe both your own and others’ skills. However, とくい (tokui) and にがて (nigate) are generally used to describe your own abilities only.
Conclusion
Using verb short forms with の and combining them with 好きです, きらいです, 上手です, and 下手です is a great way to express your likes, dislikes, and skills in Japanese.
