何か欲しい
nanika hoshii
The Japanese phrase for "I want something" is 何か欲しい (nanika hoshii).
The phrase is used to express a desire to possess or obtain an unspecified object. In the default form 何か欲しい, the subject "I" is omitted, which is the standard way to express personal desire in Japanese.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 欲しい (hoshii) is an i-adjective that expresses the desire to possess a noun or an object.
Which one should you use?
While 何か欲しい is the default, you can use different endings to change the tone or intent. For example, ～がほしいんだ adds an explanatory tone to the desire and ～をください is used to politely ask for something directly, rather than just stating a desire.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding です to the end of 何か欲しい makes the phrase polite. In the standard informal form 何か欲しい, the subject "I" is omitted.
How do you pronounce it?
nanika hoshii
Did you know?
- Because 欲しい expresses a personal feeling, it is often considered impolite or even grammatically incorrect to use it to describe what someone else wants. To talk about another person's desires, Japanese speakers typically use the verb ～たがる, which implies 'they appear to want'.
- If you want to say 'I want to do something' rather than 'I want something', you cannot use 欲しい. You must use the verb form ～たい instead.
- In Japanese, 欲しい is technically an adjective meaning 'wanted' or 'desirable' rather than a verb meaning 'to want'.
Examples in context
- 本がほしいです。I want a book.
- 本をください。Please give me a book.
- 本をくれ。Give me a book.
- 本がほしいんだ。I really want a book.
- 何か欲しいです。nanika hoshii desu.I want something.
- 何か欲しいの？nanika hoshii no?Do you want something?
Example conversation
Ren and Himari are walking through a shopping mall.
- 蓮 Ren何か欲しいものがある？nanika hoshii mono ga aru?Is there something you want?
- 陽葵 Himariうーん、何か欲しい気がする。uun, nanika hoshii ki ga suru.Hmm, I feel like I want something.
- 蓮 Renじゃあ、あのお店を見てみよう。jaa, ano omise o mite miyou.Then, let's look at that shop.
- 陽葵 Himariありがとう、蓮くん。arigatou, Ren-kun.Thank you, Ren.
