これを買いたいです
kore o kaitai desu
In Japanese, the phrase for "I want to buy this" is これを買いたいです (kore o kaitai desu).
This phrase is used to express a desire to purchase a specific item. While これを買いたいです expresses your desire, it is worth noting that the more common and natural way to actually request an item at a store is to say これをください, which means "Please give me this".
What does it mean word for word?
The word kaitai is the desire-expressing form of the verb kau (to buy). The particle o serves as an object marker, identifying the thing being bought.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase これを買いたいです is a polite way to express your intention and is suitable for use with shop staff. For a more formal situation, you can use この商品を購入したいのですが, which means "I would like to purchase this item.". Conversely, in casual settings with friends, you can use the informal これ買いたい or the friendly, casual question これ、買ってもいい？, which asks "Is it okay if I buy this?"
How does it change in a sentence?
The particle o is used to mark the object of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
kore o kaitai desu
Did you know?
- When using the formal version 購入したいのですが (kounyuu shitai no desu ga), the ending 'ga' literally means 'but'. It functions as a 'buffer' to leave the sentence hanging, making the request sound less demanding and more polite.
- If you are shopping in a high-end boutique, you might hear the word 頂戴します (choudai shimasu) used instead of simple verbs. This comes from a humble form of 'to receive', treating the item as a gift or a precious thing being bestowed upon you.
- The word kore ('this') is part of a three-way system called 'kosoado'. It only refers to things close to the speaker, while sore is for things near the listener and are is for things far from both.
Examples in context
- これを買いたいです。Kore o kaitai desu.I want to buy this.
- プレゼントにこれを買いたいです。Purezento ni kore o kaitai desu.I want to buy this as a present.
- すみません、これを買いたいです。Sumimasen, kore o kaitai desu.Excuse me, I want to buy this.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are shopping for clothes together.
- 結衣 Yui健太、見て！これを買いたいです。Kenta, mite! Kore o kaitai desu.Kenta, look! I want to buy this.
- 健太 Kenta似合っているね。いいと思うよ。Niatte iru ne. Ii to omou yo.It looks good on you. I think it's great.
- 結衣 Yui本当？ありがとうございます！Hontou? Arigatou gozaimasu!Really? Thank you very much!
- 健太 Kentaさあ、レジに行こうか。Saa, reji ni ikou ka.Well, shall we go to the checkout?
