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たい is a Japanese auxiliary suffix used to express the speaker’s personal desire or want to do something. This form is primarily used for first-person statements (the speaker’s own desires) or in questions to ask about the listener’s desires. Japanese speakers use たい to describe personal wants directly, but it’s considered impolite or presumptuous to use it for others’ desires without some observed indication; instead, たがる is typically used in such cases.
たい is attached to the ます-stem of verbs, converting them into a form that reflects the speaker’s wish to perform the action.
To express the negative desire ("not want to do something"), たい changes to たくない. This structure indicates what the speaker does not want to do. For example, 行きたくない means "I don’t want to go." Like たい, this form is generally reserved for the speaker’s own feelings or used to ask about the listener’s preferences. When referring to others’ desires (or lack thereof), たがらない is preferred instead.
Structure
Verb［ます］+ たい
Verb［ます］ + たかった
Negative Form:
Verb［ます］+ たくない
Verb［ます］+ たくなかった
JLPT Level
N5
Key uses
1. Directly expressing one’s own wants or preferences
たい is commonly used to state the speaker’s immediate or personal desires, especially in daily situations.
[ Additional Insight ]
This use focuses on personal desires, making it ideal for casual conversations. It directly conveys immediate wants and is often paired with a light, conversational tone. It’s simple and intuitive, making it one of the first expressions learners master when discussing preferences.
2. Asking about the listener’s desires
たい is polite and straightforward for asking about someone’s preferences in casual settings or among acquaintances.
[ Additional Insight ]
This use highlights inclusivity and consideration, as it’s often used to politely invite input or suggestions. It’s an excellent way to keep conversations open and engaging, especially in group settings or informal discussions.
3. Expressing hypothetical or long-term desires
たい can be combined with phrases like "と思う to describe goals or aspirations in the future or in hypothetical situations.
[ Additional Insight ]
This use extends beyond immediate desires to encompass future aspirations or hypothetical scenarios. The inclusion of ～と思う softens the statement, making it feel thoughtful and aspirational, perfect for formal or long-term goal setting.
4. Showing reluctance by using the negative form
The negative form たくない allows the speaker to politely express reluctance or unwillingness to do something.
[ Additional Insight ]
The negative form softens refusal, allowing the speaker to express unwillingness or reluctance without sounding harsh. It’s useful for polite rejections or expressing preferences indirectly, making it effective in maintaining harmony in conversations.
Comparisons
1. たがる
たがる is used to express the desire of someone else (third person) based on observed cues or behaviors, while たい is used for expressing personal desires or asking about the listener’s wants. Use たがる to infer someone else’s feelings based on their actions or expressions.
2. ほしい
ほしい is used to express desire for an object or thing rather than an action, and it translates to "want" but only in reference to nouns. Use ほしい for nouns and たい for verbs.
3. がる
The auxiliary がる can be used with adjectives to describe someone else’s feelings or reactions, while たい directly expresses the speaker’s personal desire. Use がる to describe external observations of someone else’s emotional state.
Examples
021A
021B
021C
021D
021E
021F
021G
021H