Translation guide
Expressing a strong desire or eagerness to do something, often with a nuance of worry or impatience. In Japanese, this is typically conveyed through phrases like 〜たくてたまらない, 〜たくて仕方がない, or 〜たいと思う, depending on the intensity and context.
Expressing a strong, sometimes impatient desire to do something, often with a sense of 'can't wait'.
Attach to the stem of a verb (the ます form without ます) to express an unbearable desire to do something. This is a very common and natural way to say 'I'm dying to do...' or 'I can't help but want to...'.
早く日本に行きたくてたまらない。
I'm anxious to go to Japan soon.
I'm dying to see her.
Similar to 〜たくてたまらない, meaning 'can't help but want to'. Slightly more emphatic or colloquial. Used with verb stems.
新しいゲームをやりたくて仕方がない。
I'm anxious to play the new game.
Expresses a spontaneous, uncontrollable desire. Slightly more formal or literary than たまらない/仕方がない.
彼のことが知りたくてならない。
I'm anxious to know about him.
A softer, more polite way to express desire. Literally 'I think I want to...'. Often used when the desire is not as intense or when speaking politely.
来年は留学したいと思います。
I'm anxious to study abroad next year.
Expresses a heartfelt or long-standing desire. Often used with a sense of wistfulness or strong personal wish. More literary or emotional.
一度でいいから宇宙に行ってみたいものだ。
I'm anxious to go to space just once.
Expressing a desire to do something while also feeling anxious or worried about it, such as wanting to help but being concerned.
Literally 'I want to do it, but I'm worried'. This directly conveys the mix of desire and anxiety.
手伝いたいけど、邪魔にならないか心配だ。
I'm anxious to help, but I'm worried I might be in the way.
A more explicit way to say 'I have the desire to do it, but I also have anxiety'. Suitable for formal or written contexts.
挑戦したい気持ちはあるが、失敗しないか不安もある。
I'm anxious to take on the challenge, but I'm also worried about failing.
A slightly more literary way to express 'I want to, but I'm concerned'. 気がかり means 'on one's mind' or 'worrisome'.
すぐにでも帰りたいが、家族の反応が気がかりだ。
I'm anxious to go home right away, but I'm worried about my family's reaction.
Expressing that you are so eager you feel impatient or restless.
Using 早く (quickly/soon) with the 〜たい form emphasizes impatience. Very common in casual speech.
早く結果を知りたい。
I'm anxious to know the results.
Literally 'can't wait'. Used when you are so eager that waiting is unbearable. Often used with 〜たくて.
夏休みが待ちきれない。
I'm anxious for summer vacation to start.
An onomatopoeic expression meaning 'itching to do something'. Conveys restless eagerness.
旅行に行きたくてうずうずしている。
I'm itching to go on a trip.
The English word 'anxious' can mean both 'eager' and 'worried'. In Japanese, these are usually expressed differently. Using 心配 (worry) when you mean 'eager' will sound unnatural. Use the patterns above for eagerness, and only use 心配 or 不安 when you genuinely mean worry.
✗ 彼に会うのが心配だ。 (if you mean 'I'm anxious to see him' as in 'eager')
Incorrect if you mean eager. This means 'I'm worried about seeing him.'
Use 〜たい for your own desires or when asking about someone's desires directly. Use 〜たがっている to describe a third person's apparent desire. For example, 彼は帰りたがっている (He is anxious to go home).
彼女はその映画を見たがっている。
She is anxious to see that movie.