〜たい

N5

〜たい

-tai

Want to

N5

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Explanation

〜たい expresses what you want to do. It attaches to the verb stem (the same stem used for ます). It is often translated as “want to.” Key points: • Verb stem + たい • Expresses the speaker’s desire • Works like an い-adjective (e.g., 行きたいです) • Use が or を depending on the verb and context For example, “食べたいです” means “I want to eat.” “日本へ行きたいです” means “I want to go to Japan.” Because たい is an adjective, you can add です for politeness: “見たいです.” You can also use negative: “食べたくないです” (I don’t want to eat), which you will learn soon. Be careful: たい expresses your own desire. Asking about someone else’s desire is possible but more polite forms are often used. At N5, use it mainly for your own wants. This pattern is very common and useful for talking about plans and goals.

Structure

Pattern
Verb-stem + たい (です)
Verb-stemPolite verb stem
Examples: 食べ, 行き, , 勉強し
たいWant-to ending
Examples: たい
ですPolite ending (optional)
Examples: です

Examples

Example 1
寿司を食べたいです。
Sushi o tabetai desu.
I want to eat sushi.
Breakdown
寿司sushi
object marker
食べたいwant to eat
ですpolite ending
Note: Basic desire
Example 2
日本へ行きたいです。
Nihon e ikitai desu.
I want to go to Japan.
Breakdown
日本Japan
direction marker
行きたいwant to go
ですpolite ending
Note: Destination desire
Example 3
映画を見たいです。
Eiga o mitai desu.
I want to watch a movie.
Breakdown
映画movie
object marker
見たいwant to watch
ですpolite ending
Note: Common desire
Example 4
友だちと話したいです。
Tomodachi to hanashitai desu.
I want to talk with my friend.
Breakdown
友だちfriend
with
話したいwant to talk
ですpolite ending
Note: Wanting to do together

Related Grammar