Learning to express the concept of “want to” in Japanese is essential for effective communication. Whether you want to express your desires, preferences, or intentions, this guide will provide you with all the necessary information, considering both formal and informal situations. Here, you’ll find various tips and examples to help you master this aspect of Japanese language. So let’s dive right in!
Table of Contents
The Formal Way: 〜たい (tai)
When expressing a desire or a wish in a formal setting, the most commonly used structure is “〜たい (tai).” This suffix attaches to the stem of verbs to indicate the desire to do something. For example:
お茶（ちゃ）を飲（の）みたいです。
(Ocha o nomitai desu.)
I want to drink tea. (formal)
In this example, “お茶を飲みたい (ocha o nomitai)” means “want to drink tea.” The polite ending “です (desu)” makes the sentence formal, suitable for business or formal interactions.
The Informal Way: 〜たい (tai) [Casual Style]
When speaking in casual situations among friends or peers, the structure for expressing desires remains the same. However, it is common to drop the polite ending “です (desu).” The sentence ending becomes “〜たい (tai),” making it more informal and conversational:
お茶（ちゃ）を飲（の）みたい。
(Ocha o nomitai.)
I want to drink tea. (informal)
By omitting “です (desu),” you create a more relaxed atmosphere and sound more natural in casual conversations. However, remember to use this form only in appropriate situations.
Additional Tips and Variations
Now that you understand the basic structure, here are some additional tips and variations you should know:
1. Using 〜たがっています (tagatteimasu)
When you want to express that someone else wants to do something, you can use “〜たがっています (tagatteimasu).” This form indicates the desire of another person rather than your own. Here’s an example:
彼（かれ）はコーヒーを飲（の）みたがっています。
(Kare wa koohii o nomitagatteimasu.)
He wants to drink coffee.
2. Using 〜ほしい (hoshii)
In addition to “〜たい (tai),” you can express your desire for someone to do something using “〜ほしい (hoshii).” This form is especially useful when requesting or asking someone to do something. Consider the following example:
新（あたら）しい本（ほん）がほしいです。
(Atarashii hon ga hoshii desu.)
I want a new book.
3. Common Verb Forms
To apply the “want to” structure, it’s important to know the stem form of verbs. Here are some commonly used verb forms:
- 食（た）べる (taberu) → 食（た）べたい (tabetai) → Want to eat
- 行（い）く (iku) → 行（い）きたい (ikitai) → Want to go
- 見（み）る (miru) → 見（み）たい (mitai) → Want to see
- 話（はな）す (hanasu) → 話（はな）したい (hanashitai) → Want to talk
Conclusion
Congratulations! You have learned how to express the concept of “want to” in Japanese. Remember, in formal situations, you can use “〜たい (tai),” while in casual settings, you can drop “です (desu)” and end the sentence with “〜たい (tai).” Additionally, you can use “〜ほしい (hoshii)” to express your desires for someone to do something or “〜たがっています (tagatteimasu)” to talk about someone else’s desires. Make sure to practice using various verb forms to expand your vocabulary.
By mastering these language nuances, you’ll be better equipped to express your wants and communicate effectively in both formal and informal situations in Japanese. Enjoy using your newfound knowledge, and don’t hesitate to explore other aspects of this rich language!
