アイスクリームが食べたい
To say "I want ice cream" in Japanese, use アイスクリームが食べたい.
In Japanese, the expression tabetai means "want to eat", while the phrase ga hoshii desu is a way to say "want".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of アイスクリーム (ice cream), the particle が (ga) marking the object of desire and the verb 食べたい (tabetai) meaning "want to eat".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The version アイスクリームが食べたいです is the polite form, which is suitable for use with strangers or in formal settings. In casual conversation, you may see the informal version アイスクリーム食べたい, where both the particle が and the verb ending です are often dropped.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb 食べたい is the tai form of taberu (to eat), which expresses the speaker's desire to perform an action. While the default form uses the particle が, using the particle を is also grammatically acceptable and common when expressing a desire to eat a specific object.
Did you know?
- When wanting a treat, a Japanese speaker might use the word おやつ (oyatsu), which refers to a specific 'snack time' between meals, regardless of whether the snack is ice cream.
- While アイスクリーム is used for ice cream, Japanese people often use the word アイス (aisu) as a shorthand, which refers to any frozen treat including popsicles.
- There is a distinct difference between アイスクリーム (ice cream) and シャーベット (sherbet), as the former must contain dairy to be called ice cream in Japanese standards.
Examples in context
- アイスクリームが食べたいです。aisukuriimu ga tabetai desu.I want to eat ice cream.
- すごくアイスクリームが食べたい！sugoku aisukuriimu ga tabetai!I really want to eat ice cream!
- 今はアイスクリームが食べたい気分です。ima wa aisukuriimu ga tabetai kibun desu.I am in the mood for ice cream right now.
Example conversation
Two friends are walking in a park on a hot day.
- 大翔 Hiroto暑いね。アイスクリームが食べたいな。atsui ne. aisukuriimu ga tabetai na.It's hot, isn't it? I want to eat ice cream.
- 陽葵 Himariいい考えだね。近くにコンビニがあるよ。ii kangae da ne. chikaku ni konbini ga aru yo.That's a good idea. There is a convenience store nearby.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵、あそこに行こう！Himari, asoko ni ikou!Himari, let's go there!
- 陽葵 Himariうん、行こう。un, ikou.Yeah, let's go.
