What does it mean word for word?
Literally, the phrase translates to "sushi (subject) want to eat".
Which one should you use?
While 寿司が食べたい specifically means "I want to eat sushi", you may also encounter 寿司が欲しい (sushi ga hoshii), which means "I want sushi" (the object itself). In casual contexts, these two are often used interchangeably.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a polite or formal setting, such as speaking to a stranger or a superior, you should use すしを食べたいです。 by adding the copula です at the end. For an informal setting, you can use すしを食べたいよ。
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 寿司が食べたい, the particle が is used to mark 寿司 as the object of the desire. The word 食べたい is the tai form of the verb taberu (to eat), which is used to express the speaker's desire to perform an action. In the formal version すしを食べたいです, the particle を is used to indicate the direct object of the verb.
How do you pronounce it?
sushi ga tabetai
Did you know?
- In Japan, it is often considered impolite or too direct to say 食べたい ('want to eat') when dining with others. Instead, people often use ～がいい ('… would be good') to suggest sushi more subtly.
- While 寿司 is the word for 'sushi', the character 寿 means 'longevity' and 司 means 'to administer'. This reflects the cultural association of the food with celebration and long life.
- In many Japanese restaurants, if you say 寿司が食べたい to a waiter, they may interpret it more as a general declaration of your craving rather than a direct order. To actually order the food, you would typically say 寿司をください ('sushi please').
Examples in context
- どこに行きたい？Where do you want to go?
- 何が食べたい？What do you want to eat?
- 寿司が食べたいです。sushi ga tabetai desu.I want to eat sushi.
- 今、寿司が食べたい気分です。ima, sushi ga tabetai kibun desu.I feel like eating sushi right now.
- どうしても寿司が食べたい！doushitemo sushi ga tabetai!I really want to eat sushi!
Example conversation
Ren and Yui are deciding what to have for dinner.
- 蓮 Ren結衣、今日の夕飯は何にする？Yui, kyou no yuuhan wa nani ni suru?Yui, what should we have for dinner today?
- 結衣 Yuiうーん、私は寿司が食べたいな。Uun, watashi wa sushi ga tabetai na.Hmm, I want to eat sushi.
- 蓮 Renいい考えだね。店を探そうか。Ii kangae da ne. Mise o sagasou ka.That's a good idea. Shall we look for a restaurant?
- 結衣 Yuiうん、お願い！Un, onegai!Yes, please!
