なりたい
naritai
The phrase "want to be" in Japanese is expressed as なりたい (naritai).
なりたい is used to express a desire to undergo a change in state. This includes a desire to become a certain type of person, to reach a certain age or to hold a specific professional position.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the negative, "do not want to be", use なりたくない. To express the past tense, "wanted to be", use なりたかった.
How do you pronounce it?
naritai
Did you know?
- In Japanese, if you want to say you 'want to be' a doctor, you use the same verb なる (naru) used for a plant 'becoming' a flower or the sun 'becoming' a certain position in the sky.
- In Japanese, you cannot use the same verb to say you want to 'be' in a location that you use to say you want to 'be' a certain type of person.
- When children discuss what they 'want to be' in the future, they frequently frame it using the phrase しょうらいのゆめ (shourai no yume), meaning 'a dream of the future'.
Examples in context
- 狼になりたい。I want to be a wolf.This sentence shows how to express the desire to be a wolf using なりたい.Tatoeba #12835210 by KK_kaku_, translation #12834546 by Lumi_alt
- 可愛くなりたい。I want to be pretty.This sentence shows how to express the desire to be pretty using なりたい.Tatoeba #3710891 by tommy_san, translation #9365988 by DJ_Saidez
- お酒強くなりたい。I want to be able to hold my liquor better.This sentence shows how to express the desire to be able to hold liquor better using なりたい.Tatoeba #3710893 by tommy_san, translation #6886092 by tripbeetle
- 将来は医者になりたいです。I want to be a doctor in the future.
- 彼は歌手になりたい。He wants to be a singer.
- 俺、プログラマーになりたいんだ。I really want to be a programmer.
- 104 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their future dreams at a cafe.
- 陽葵 Himari将来は、素敵な先生になりたいです。Shourai wa, suteki na sensei ni naritai desu.In the future, I want to be a wonderful teacher.
- 健太 Kenta陽葵さんは、絶対に向いているよ。Himari-san wa, zettai ni muite iru yo.Himari, you are definitely suited for that.
- 陽葵 Himari本当？健太君は何になりたいの？Honto? Kenta-kun wa nani ni naritai no?Really? What do you want to be, Kenta?
- 健太 Kenta僕は、プロの料理人になりたい。Boku wa, puro no ryourinin ni naritai.I want to be a professional chef.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
