Lesson 19

Learning with Minna no Nihongo? In Lesson 19, you will learn how to talk about likes, dislikes, hobbies, and strong/weak points. This is useful when speaking about your interests or asking others about theirs.

In this lesson, we will learn some new grammar rules, important vocabulary, and easy example sentences to help you speak more naturally. Let’s study together!

Lesson
Minna no Nihongo 19

🎯 Focus
Likes, Dislikes, Hobbies

🎓 Level
Beginner

🎵

Learn to Talk About Hobbies and Interests

📘 Vocabulary

• すき（な） – Like
• きらい（な） – Dislike
• じょうず（な） – Good at
• へた（な） – Bad at
• スポーツ – Sports
• うた – Song
• りょうり – Cooking

🧠 Grammar Point

In this lesson, we use the particle が with adjectives like すき and じょうず:

[Noun] が すきです / じょうずです
Example: りょうりが すきです。 → I like cooking.

To say you are not good at something, use:
[Noun] が へたです
Example: ダンスが へたです。 → I’m bad at dancing.

💬 Example Sentences

• おんがくが すきです。 → I like music.
• さかなが きらいです。 → I don’t like fish.
• テニスが じょうずです。 → I am good at tennis.
• えいごが へたです。 → I am not good at English.

📝 Tips for Practice

• Make a list of things you like and dislike in Japanese.
• Ask your friends “なにが すきですか？” (What do you like?)
• Use the words in real conversation or writing.
• Practice with flashcards or speaking apps.

📚 What’s Next?

In Lesson 20, you will learn how to give reasons using ～から (because). That will help you say things like “I like sushi because it’s delicious.” So make sure you understand Lesson 19 well before moving on!

Note: This lesson is part of the beginner-level Minna no Nihongo series. Practice every day and you will improve step by step!

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Do I need to memorize all the adjectives?
No, start with the ones you use most in real life.

Q2: Is “が” always used with すき and きらい?
Yes, these words use the particle “が”.

Q3: Can I use “は” instead of “が”?
Sometimes, but “が” is the correct one with these adjectives.

Q4: What if I don’t have a hobby?
You can say: 「とくに ありません。」(I don’t have any in particular.)