お気(き)に入(い)り

おきにいり

noun

favorite; preferred thing or person

polite

See also: 気(き)に入(い)る (to like (verb form))

1. favorite, preferred thing

Something one likes especially well, such as a favorite item, place, or brand.

お気(き)に入(い)りのカフェ。

My favorite café.

この靴(くつ)はお気(き)に入(い)りだ。

These shoes are my favorite.

お気(き)に入(い)りの曲(きょく)をプレイリストに入(い)れた。

I added my favorite songs to the playlist.

2. favorite person, pet, darling

A person who is especially liked or favored by someone, such as a teacher's pet or a boss's favorite employee.

彼女(かのじょ)は社長(しゃちょう)のお気(き)に入(い)りだ。

She is the president's favorite.

先生(せんせい)のお気(き)に入(い)りになりたい。

I want to become the teacher's favorite.

あの子(こ)はみんなのお気(き)に入(い)りで、いつも注目(ちゅうもく)されている。

That kid is everyone's favorite and always gets attention.

Literally '気(き)に入(い)る' (to take a liking to) with the polite prefix お. Often used as a modifier: お気(き)に入(い)りの + noun.

Common patterns

お気(き)に入(い)りの〜: one's favorite ~
お気(き)に入(い)りに登録(とうろく)する: to bookmark/add to favorites (web/apps)
お気(き)に入(い)りに入(い)れる: to add to favorites

Nuance: In sense 2, calling someone お気(き)に入(い)り can imply favoritism and may carry a slightly negative connotation, suggesting unfair preferential treatment.

general

Added 2026.2.6 9:35 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

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