What does it mean word for word?
〜たい is the part that means want to. です adds politeness.
Which one should you use?
~たいと思います (tai to omoimasu) is a softer polite way to express a wish, literally I think I would like to. ~たいのですが (~tainodesu ga) is formal and is used when giving a reason or leading into a polite request. ~たい (tai) on its own is the informal want to, and ~たいんだけど (~taindakedo) is a casual version used when giving a reason for a request.
How does it change in a sentence?
〜たい is attached to the stem of a verb, the form you get by dropping the polite verb ending. The negative is 〜たくないです, meaning I do not want to. To talk about what someone else wants to do, use 〜たがっています instead of 〜たいです.
How do you pronounce it?
The ending is pronounced ~tai desu. The u at the end of desu is usually very soft.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because 〜たいです states your own desire directly, it can sound too blunt or demanding when making a request to a superior. In those cases use a more indirect request form. Also do not use 〜たいです for what another person wants, use 〜たがっています instead.
Did you know?
- The word たい (tai) can also be used as a noun meaning 'fish' or 'sea bream' depending on the kanji used. While the grammar-based たい is a suffix, the phonetic similarity provides a common pun in Japanese wordplay.
- Using 〜たいです to tell a waiter what you want to eat can sound like you are describing your inner feelings rather than placing an order. To be more natural, Japanese speakers often use 〜をお願いします ('please give me') instead.
- If you want to ask a superior if they would like to do something, you should never use 〜たいですか. Using this form can sound as if you are interrogating their private thoughts, which is often seen as rude.
Examples in context
- コーヒーを飲みたいと思います。I would like to drink coffee.
- もっと勉強したいと思います。I would like to study more.
- もう一度説明したいんですが、お願いできますか？I would like to explain once again, is it possible, please?
- お手洗いを使いたいんですが、どこですか？I would like to use the restroom, where is it?
- 明日休みをいただきたいのですが、締め切りがあります。I would like to take tomorrow off, but I have a deadline.
- この本を借りたいのですが、可能でしょうか？I would like to borrow this book, is it possible?
- 映画を見たい！I want to watch a movie!
- 遊びたいけど、宿題があるよ。I want to play, but I have homework.
- ピザが食べたいんだけど、お金がない。I want to eat pizza, but I don't have money.
- 海に行きたいんだけど、天気が悪そうだね。I want to go to the beach, but the weather seems bad.
- ケーキを食べたいんだ！I want to eat cake!
- 遅くまで起きていたいんだ。I want to stay up late.
