Translation guide
Expresses desire to perform an action. The most common pattern uses the 〜たい form of verbs. Other patterns express third-person desires, volition, or wanting someone else to act.
Expressing the speaker's own desire to perform an action.
Attach たい to the ます-stem of a verb. This is the standard way to say 'I want to V'. It conjugates like an い-adjective.
日本に行きたい。
I want to go to Japan.
新しい車を買いたいです。
I want to buy a new car.
Softer, more indirect than plain 〜たい. Often used in formal or written contexts.
留学したいと思っています。
I'm thinking I'd like to study abroad.
Used to express a desire while seeking permission, advice, or assistance. Softens the statement.
ちょっと休みたいんですが。
I'd like to take a break (if that's okay).
Expressing a third person's desire. Direct use of 〜たい is generally avoided because it sounds presumptuous.
Used to describe observable signs that someone else wants to do something. Based on the 〜たい form.
弟はゲームを買いたがっている。
My younger brother wants to buy a game (he's showing signs).
Hearsay: 'I heard that someone wants to V'. Uses the 〜たい form + そうだ.
彼女は留学したいそうです。
I heard she wants to study abroad.
Quoting what someone said about their desire. Literally 'says that they want to V'.
彼は映画を見たいと言っています。
He says he wants to see a movie.
Expressing desire for another person to perform an action.
Used when you want someone else to do something. The person you want to act is marked with に.
先生に教えてほしいです。
I want the teacher to teach me.
彼に来てほしい。
I want him to come.
Similar to 〜てほしい but with a nuance of receiving a favor. More polite.
手伝ってもらいたいんですが。
I'd like you to help me.
Expressing a desire to attempt an action, often for the first time or as an experience.
Combines 〜てみる (try doing) with 〜たい. Implies curiosity or a wish to experience something.
富士山に登ってみたい。
I want to try climbing Mt. Fuji.
日本語で話してみたいです。
I want to try speaking in Japanese.
Formal or literary expressions of desire.
Very formal/literary. Often used in official statements or writing.
多くの人が平和を望んでいる。
Many people desire peace.
Humble expression (kenjougo) used in business settings to express one's own desire.
ご検討いただきたく存じます。
I would like you to consider it.
Using 〜たい directly for a third person (e.g., 彼は行きたい) sounds overly assertive about their internal state. Use 〜たがっている or hearsay forms instead.
✕ 彼は行きたい。
He wants to go. (unnatural)
○ 彼は行きたがっている。
He wants to go. (natural)
〜たい is for your own actions. 〜てほしい is for wanting someone else to act. Confusing them leads to unnatural sentences.
私は食べたい。
I want to eat.
私は彼に食べてほしい。
I want him to eat.