Passive or active object?


The sentence `inu ga suki` is translated as `I like dogs`. But why don't we
translate it as `Dogs like ... (something/someone)`? For example, for a
question `Who likes meat?` we can answer `inu ga suki`.




It is an ambiguity in Japanese.

I like dogs.

=watashi wa inu ga suki.

=inu ga suki. (The subject can be abbreviated if it is clear in the context.)

Who likes meat?

inu ga niku wo suki.

=inu ga suki. (the short version)

So you're correct that two interpretations are possible. You should decide
according to the context.

