Japanese grammar
What does ～たいです mean? Japanese grammar N5
～たいです means want to ~ (one's own desire).
| Level (estimated, JLPT framework) | N5 |
|---|---|
| Structure | Vます (drop ます) + たいです |
| Romaji | ~ tai desu |
| Meaning | want to ~ (one's own desire) |
How to use it
Say what you want to do.
- たい conjugates like an i-ADJECTIVE: たいです / たくないです / たかったです.
- The object can take either を or が: 「水を飲みたい」/「水が飲みたい」— が emphasizes the desire more.
- IMPORTANT: たい is only used for ONESELF (or to ask the listener). You cannot use it to directly state a third person's desire — you must use たがっています.
- Asking someone above you "do you want to ~" with たいですか sounds a bit blunt — ませんか is better.
Examples
日本へ行きたいです。
I want to go to Japan.
今日は何も食べたくないです。
I do not want to eat anything today.
Common mistakes
-
Wrong田中さんは日本へ行きたいです。
Correct田中さんは日本へ行きたがっています。
たい is only used for oneself; to talk about someone else's desire, you must use たがっている.