何が欲しいの？
nani ga hoshii no?
In Japanese, "what do you want?" is expressed as 何が欲しいの？ (nani ga hoshii no?)
何が欲しいの？ is a question used to ask someone which specific object or thing they desire to have. The use of the particle の at the end provides a soft, inquisitive nuance, making this specific form common among women or when speaking to children.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 何 (what), the subject marker が, the adjective 欲しい (wanted or desirable) and the particle の which adds a soft, questioning tone.
How do you pronounce it?
nani ga hoshii no?
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use the object marker を instead of the subject marker が by saying 何を欲しいですか？ This happens because "want" is a transitive verb in English, but 欲しい functions as an adjective in Japanese.
Did you know?
- In many Japanese contexts, using 欲しい to ask about a third person's desire is grammatically impossible if you want to be accurate. You must use 欲しがる, a special form that describes the outward signs of their desire, because you cannot truly 'know' what is inside someone else's heart.
- In Japanese, stating a desire for a person, such as 'I want you', cannot be expressed using 欲しい. This word is strictly for inanimate objects or things, and using it for a person can sound like you wish to possess them as a commodity.
- The particle の at the end of 何が欲しいの？ is a powerful tool for social positioning. While it makes the question sound soft and cute when used by women or toward children, using that same soft tone in a business meeting could make you sound inappropriately casual or even patronizing.
Examples in context
- 誕生日、何が欲しいの？tanjoubi, nani ga hoshii no?What do you want for your birthday?
- プレゼント、何が欲しいの？purezento, nani ga hoshii no?What do you want for a present?
- 今、何が欲しいの？ima, nani ga hoshii no?What is it that you want right now?
Example conversation
Misaki is asking Ren about a gift for his promotion.
- 美咲 Misakiお祝いに何が欲しいの？Oiwai ni nani ga hoshii no?What do you want for your celebration?
- 蓮 Ren新しい時計が欲しいな。Atarashii tokei ga hoshii na.I want a new watch.
- 美咲 Misakiいい時計がたくさんあるね。Ii tokei ga takusan aru ne.There are many nice watches, aren't there?
- 蓮 Ren一緒に選びに行こうよ。Issho ni erabi ni ikō yo.Let's go pick one out together.
