N5#adjectives#desires#n5-grammar#particles

ほしい (Want)

Say what you want (adjectives → things).

Context

Expressing Desires

Imagine you are at a Japanese department store or a cafe. You see something you really like, or you are feeling thirsty and want a drink. How do you tell your friend what you want?

In Japanese, expressing a desire for an object is straightforward once you know the right adjective. Unlike English, where we use the verb 'want', Japanese uses an i-adjective to describe the state of wanting something.

Explanation

The Grammar of Wanting

To say you want an object, use the construction: [Noun] がほしいです.

Nounがほしいです

The particle が (ga) is used to mark the object of your desire. Because ほしい is an i-adjective, it functions just like other adjectives (like 'big' or 'tasty'). You can use it to describe your own desires or ask about someone else's.

Tip

Since ほしい is an adjective, you can conjugate it. For example, to say you don't want something, you change it to ほしくない (hoshikunai).

Examples

Seeing it in Action

Here are common ways to use ほしい.

新しい(あたらしい)靴(くつ)がほしいです。

I want new shoes.

新しいあたらしいnew靴くつshoesががobject markerほしいほしいwantですですpolite copula

水(みず)がほしいです。

I want water.

水みずwaterががobject markerほしいほしいwant

車【が】ほしいです。

Hint: Use the particle that marks the object of desire.

I want a car.

Usage

Nuance and Usage

A note on social appropriateness.

While ほしい is grammatically correct, it is very direct. In Japanese culture, stating your desires too bluntly can sometimes sound demanding. When asking someone else if they want something, it is often better to use a softer phrasing or context.

Is it polite to say 'ほしい' to a superior (like your boss)?

Yes, it is perfectly polite.
✓ No, it is too direct and can sound demanding.

Saying 'ほしい' directly to a superior can sound like you are making a demand. It is better to use more indirect language in formal settings.

Deep dive

Deep Dive: ほしい vs. Verb-たい

Don't confuse wanting things with wanting to do actions.

A common mistake is using ほしい for actions. Remember: ほしい is for nouns (things). If you want to do an action (like 'want to eat'), you must use the -たい form of the verb, not ほしい.

Summary

Recap of the lesson.

To express a desire for an object, use [Noun] + が + ほしい. It acts as an i-adjective, meaning it can be conjugated to express negative desires (ほしくない). Always remember to use the particle が to mark the thing you want.

ほしい

ほしいadjective

want

水

みずnoun

water

車

くるまnoun

car

新しい

あたらしいadjective

new