欲しいですか
hoshii desu ka
The English phrase "do you want" is expressed in Japanese as 欲しいですか (hoshii desu ka).
欲しいですか is a question used to ask if someone desires to possess a specific object (a noun). It is not used to ask if someone wants to perform an action or activity.
How do you pronounce it?
hoshii desu ka
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use 欲しいですか to ask if someone wants to do an activity. Instead, you should use したいですか when asking if someone wants to perform an action.
When do people say it?
In Japanese culture, asking 欲しいですか directly to someone's face can sometimes be perceived as too blunt or intrusive. Softer phrasing is often preferred in polite social contexts.
Did you know?
- While you can use 欲しいですか to ask about someone else's desires, it is considered grammatically presumptuous to use it for a third person. To say 'he wants', you typically use 欲しがっている, which describes observable behavior.
- In Japanese, the word 欲しい (hoshii) actually functions more like an adjective describing a state of being rather than a verb. It describes a person who is in a state of 'wanting' something.
- If you are offering something to a guest, using 欲しいですか can sound like you are questioning their need. Instead, Japanese speakers often use いかがですか, which translates more closely to 'how about this'.
Examples in context
- 何が欲しいですか。What do you want?This sentence is useful for asking what object is desired.Tatoeba #187880 by small_snow, translation #1622 by CK
- どれが欲しいですか？Which one do you want?This sentence is useful for asking which specific one is desired.Tatoeba #11013712 by KK_kaku_, translation #1886586 by CK
- 他に何が欲しいですか。What else do you want?This sentence is useful for asking what else is desired.Tatoeba #138795 by bunbuku, translation #274613 by CK
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Yui is offering a gift to Yota.
- 結衣 Yuiこの本が欲しいですか。Kono hon ga hoshii desu ka.Do you want this book?
- 陽太 Yotaはい、とても欲しいです。Hai, totemo hoshii desu.Yes, I want it very much.
- 結衣 Yuiじゃあ、陽太さんにあげますね。Jaa, Yota-san ni agemasu ne.Then, I will give it to you, Yota.
- 陽太 Yotaありがとうございます！Arigatou gozaimasu!Thank you very much!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
