Learn Japanese grammar: たい (tai). Meaning: want to do something.
To use this grammar point, add it at the end of the verb stem
たべます -> たべたい
I eat -> I want to eat
Basic example for ～たい (tai) – want to do~
すしを食べたい。
sushi o tabetai.
I want to eat sushi.
たい (tai) can be conjugated to be used in negative and past tense as well.
Negative form たくない (takunai) do not want to do~
すしを食べたくない。
sushi o tabetakunai
I do not want to eat sushi.
Past form たかった (takatta) – wanted to do~
すしを食べたかった。
sushi o tabetakatta.
I wanted to eat sushi.
Extra Study Notes
This is mostly ONLY for first person use, but there are some situations where it’s OK to use for second person:
Example A) when quoting others
田中さんがすしを食べたいんだって。
tanaka-san ga sushi o tabetai ndatte.
Tanaka-san said he wants to eat Sushi.
Example B) when asking a question
何を食べたいですか？
nani o tabetai desuka?
What do you want to eat?
To say someone wants to do something in 3rd person without quoting them, use たがる (tagaru) instead.
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たい - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
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Example #1
日本語をもっと勉強したいです。
Example #2
先生、聞きたいことがありますが。
Example #3
早く結婚したい。
Example #4
自転車がこわれたから、新しいのを買いたい。
Example #5
子どものころから、ずっと日本に行きたかった。
Example #6
つかれたから、もう勉強したくない。
Example #7
将来は日本の会社で働きたいです。
Example #8
お金がたくさんあったら、何をしたいですか？
Vocabulary List 語彙
| Kanji 漢字 | Kana カナ | English 英語 |
|---|---|---|
| 食べる | たべる | to eat |
| 先生 | せんせい | teacher; instructor; master |
| 聞く | きく | to hear; to listen (to music); to ask; to learn of |
| 早い | はやい | fast; early |
| 田中 | たなか | Tanaka (surname) |
| 疲れた | つかれた | to be tired |
| 勉強 | べんきょう | to study |
| あります | to have; there is (non-living) | |
| 自転車 | じてんしゃ | bicycle |
| 新しい | あたらしい | new |
| 買う | かう | to buy |
| 子供 | こども | child |
| 頃 | ころ | around the time~ |
| ずっと | always | |
| 日本 | にほん | Japan |
| 行く | いく | to go |
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