〜たい

want to...; wish to...

1. Overview

The expression 〜たい is used to indicate the speaker's desire or wish to do something. It is typically attached to the verb's stem form to show what action the speaker wants to perform.

• Meaning: "want to...," "wish to..."

2. Structure

• Grammar structure:

  • Verb stem + 〜たい

• Explanation:

  • 〜たい is used to express a desire to perform a certain action, often implying the speaker's wish to do something.

3. Usage Explanation

• Expressing desires:

  • This structure directly states what the speaker wants to do:
    • Example: 行く + 〜たい → 行きたい (I want to go).

• Affirmative and Negative forms:

  • The affirmative form expresses the desire to do something, while the negative form, 〜たくない, indicates the desire not to do something:
    • Example: 行きたくない (I don't want to go).

• Context of use:

  • This expression is commonly used in daily conversation, suitable for both formal and informal settings to express desires.

4. Alternative Grammar

• 〜たいと思う: A more indirect way of expressing a desire:
  • Example: 旅行したいと思う (I think I want to travel).
• 〜たがる: Used to express someone else's desire, typically in the third person:
  • Example: 彼は行きたがっている (He wants to go).

5. Key Points to Note

• Subjectivity:

  • The implicit subject is usually the speaker. If expressing someone else's desire, it needs to be made explicit:
    • Example: 彼は旅行したい (He wants to travel).

• Politeness:

  • While 〜たい is polite enough for everyday conversation, in more formal settings, 〜たいです is more appropriate.

6. Example Sentences

1. 映画を見たい。
   I want to watch a movie.

2. 新しいことを学びたい。
   I want to learn something new.

3. 友達と遊びたい。
   I want to hang out with friends.

4. 彼女は音楽を聞きたい。
   She wants to listen to music.

5. もっと日本語を勉強したい。
   I want to study Japanese more.

7. Similar Grammar

• 〜たがる: Used to express someone else’s desire.
• 〜たいと思う: A softer way of expressing one’s own desire.
• 〜てもいい: Used to indicate permission or request in a wishful manner.

8. Summary

The expression 〜たい is essential for expressing desires in Japanese. Understanding this structure enables the speaker to convey their wishes clearly, making it a fundamental part of daily communication.