何が食べたい？
Nani ga tabetai?
In Japanese, "what do you want to eat?" is expressed as 何が食べたい？ (Nani ga tabetai?)
This phrase is used to ask someone about their food preference or desire for a meal. The word Nani means "what." Additionally, while the word gohan literally means "rice," it is also used to mean "meal" in Japanese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of Nani (what), the particle ga (subject marker) and tabetai (want to eat).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The default form 何が食べたい？ is casual and should be used with friends, family or people of equal or lower status. For a polite version suitable for strangers or superiors, you should use 何が食べたいですか？ An even more informal way to ask is Nani tabetai?
How does it change in a sentence?
The form tabetai is the "tai" form of the verb taberu, which expresses the speaker's desire to do an action. The particle ga is used here to mark the object of desire (the thing you want to eat) because the tai form functions like an adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
Nani ga tabetai?
Did you know?
- The phrase avoids the word anata (you) because, in Japanese, using the word 'you' can actually sound confrontational or overly direct.
- The word ごはん (gohan) is so central to the idea of a 'meal' that saying ごはんに行こう (let's go for a meal) can be a subtle way to ask someone on a date.
- In highly formal settings, asking 何が食べたいですか？ can be too direct. People instead use 何になさいますか？ which translates more like 'What will you decide upon?'
Examples in context
- 今日のお昼は何が食べたい？kyou no ohiru wa nani ga tabetai?What do you want to eat for lunch today?
- 夜ご飯は何が食べたい？yorugohan wa nani ga tabetai?What do you want to eat for dinner?
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding on a place for lunch.
- 健太 Kenta何が食べたい？nani ga tabetai?What do you want to eat?
- 結衣 Yuiうどんが食べたいな。udon ga tabetai na.I want to eat udon.
- 健太 Kentaいいよ、近くに美味しい店があるよ。ii yo, chikaku ni oishii mise ga aru yo.Okay, there is a delicious shop nearby.
- 結衣 Yuiやった、楽しみ！yatta, tanoshimi!Yay, I'm looking forward to it!
