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Want to do
Definition
The grammar pattern "〜たい" is used to express the speaker's desire to do something. It attaches to the masu-stem of a verb and conjugates like an い-adjective. The object can take が (emphasizing the desire) or を (emphasizing the action). This pattern is often used in polite questions to ask someone about their preferences or desires.
Structure
| Form | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Masu-stem | Verb stem + たい | 食べたい |
| Desire for a specific action | Object + が + たい | 日本に行きたい |
| Desire for a specific action | Object + を + たい | 日本に行ってみたい |
Examples
わたしは日本に行きたい。
Watashi wa Nihon ni ikitai.
I want to go to Japan.
watashi (I) + wa (topic marker) + Nihon (Japan) + ni (directional particle) + ikitai (want to go)
夏休みに友だちに会いたい。
Natsu yasumi ni tomodachi ni aitai.
I want to meet my friends during summer vacation.
natsu yasumi (summer vacation) + ni (directional particle) + tomodachi (friends) + ni (directional particle) + aitai (want to meet)
A: "何が食べたいですか。" B: "うどんを食べたい。
A: "Nani ga tabetai desu ka." B: "Udon o tabetai.
A: "What do you want to eat?" B: "I want to eat udon.
A's question uses "何が食べたいですか." (What do you want to eat?) and B's answer uses "うどんを食べたい." (I want to eat udon)
A: "何を買いたいですか。" B: "新しい本を買いたい。
A: "Nani o kaitai desu ka." B: "Atarashii hon o kaitai.
A: "What do you want to buy?" B: "I want to buy a new book.
A's question uses "何を買いたいですか." (What do you want to buy?) and B's answer uses "新しい本を買いたい." (I want to buy a new book)
Context
The "〜たい" pattern is used to express the speaker's desire or preference. It is often used in polite questions to ask someone about their preferences or desires. This pattern can be used with any verb that has a masu-stem. The object can take が (emphasizing the desire) or を (emphasizing the action).
Watch out
The "〜たい" pattern expresses the speaker's own desire, so it cannot be used with third person. Instead, use "たがっている" to express someone else's desire.
Both が and を can be used before たい, but が emphasizes the desire itself, while を emphasizes the action.
The "〜たい" pattern requires a verb that has a masu-stem. If the verb does not have a masu-stem, find a different verb that does.
Strategy
In the JLPT exam, be careful when using the "〜たい" pattern. Make sure to use the correct verb form and object particle. Also, be aware of the difference between が and を before たい.
In context
Worked examples drawn from JLPT N5 test-style questions. Each sentence shows 〜たい used correctly, with a brief note on what the pattern is doing.
わたしは日本に行きたいです。
Pattern used: 行きたいです
〜たい attaches to the masu-stem. 行きます → 行き + たい = 行きたい. Dictionary form + たい and te-form + たい are incorrect.
夏休みに友だちに会いたいです。
Pattern used: 会いたいです
〜たい attaches to the masu-stem: 会います → 会い + たい = 会いたい. Dictionary form + たい is incorrect. Past tense of たい is たかった, not たいでした.
A：「何が食べたいですか。」B：「すしが食べたいです。」
Pattern used: すしが食べたいです
The question uses 〜たい to ask about desire, so the answer should also use 〜たい. 食べます is a plain statement, 食べました is past tense, and 食べてください is a request.
Interactive
わたしは日本に______。
Adaptive practice
Our adaptive engine will quiz you on this grammar pattern and track your progress toward mastery.