Japanese grammar
What does ～がほしい mean? Japanese grammar N4
～がほしい means to want (a thing).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N4 |
|---|---|
| Structure | N + が + ほしい |
| Romaji | gahoshii |
| Meaning | to want (a thing) |
Forming it
| Connection | N + が + ほしい |
|---|
How to use it
Expressing the speaker's desire to have a noun, or directly asking the listener.
- ほしい is an i-adjective; the desired object is marked with が.
- When expressing a desire to perform an action, use the V-masu stem + たい instead of ほしい.
Examples
新しい辞書がほしいです。
I want a new dictionary.
誕生日に何がほしいですか。
What do you want for your birthday?
Common mistakes
-
Wrong新しい辞書をほしいです。
Correct新しい辞書がほしいです。
The object of ほしい uses が, not を.
Exam tips
- N + がほしい; V + たい.