欲しい
hoshii
In Japanese, the way to say 'want' is 欲しい (hoshii).
欲しい is used to express a desire for an object. It is generally used to express the speaker's own desires. Using it directly to describe another person's desires can sound presumptive or rude.
Meaning: to desire (verb)
Which one should you use?
While 欲しい is used for wanting an object, you should use the auxiliary verb suffix 〜たい to express wanting to perform an action (wanting to do something).
How does it change in a sentence?
Although it translates to 'to want', 欲しい is an i-adjective rather than a verb. When using it, the object being desired is typically marked with the particle が rather than を. To express that you wanted something in the past, use the past tense form 欲しかった.
How do you pronounce it?
hoshii
Did you know?
- To describe another person's desires without being rude, Japanese speakers often use the phrase 〜がほしがっている, adding がっている to show they are observing the other person's outward behavior.
- When someone says they 'want' a person using 欲しい, it often carries a strong romantic or sexual connotation, or implies a desire to 'possess' that person.
- The word 欲しい is fundamentally an adjective, which is why it can be used to modify a noun directly, as in 欲しい本 meaning 'a book that I want'.
Examples in context
- 君が欲しい。I want you.This sentence shows how to express wanting a person using 欲しい.Tatoeba #178853 by wat, translation #17707 by CK
- これ欲しい？Do you want this?This sentence is a way to ask if someone wants something using 欲しい.Tatoeba #12206265 by small_snow, translation #2011332 by CK
- お金が欲しい。I want money.This sentence shows how to express wanting an object like money using 欲しい.Tatoeba #227268 by arnab, translation #64620 by CK
- 私は新{あたら}しい車{くるま}が欲{ほ}しいです。I want a new car.
- ご所望は何{なん}でしょうか？What is it that you desire?
- ご希望の時間{じかん}をお教{おし}えください。Please let us know your desired time.
- このゲームがほしい！I want this game!
- 日本{にほん}に行{い}きたいんだ。I really want to go to Japan.
- 試験{しけん}でいい点{てん}をとってほしい。I want you to get a good grade on the test.
- 357 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Kenta and Misaki are shopping for a birthday gift.
- 健太 Kenta誕生日に何が欲しい？Tanjoubi ni nani ga hoshii?What do you want for your birthday?
- 美咲 Misaki新しい靴が欲しいな。Atarashii kutsu ga hoshii na.I want new shoes.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、一緒に買いに行こう。Ii yo, issho ni kai ni ikou.Okay, let's go buy them together.
- 美咲 Misaki本当？ありがとう、健太くん！Hontou? Arigatou, Kenta-kun!Really? Thank you, Kenta!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry 欲しい, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
