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 form.
たべます -> たべたい
I eat -> I want to eat
*NOTE* This is mainly used to describe the actions the speaker wants to do.
To say someone wants to do something in 3rd person without quoting them, use たがる (tagaru) instead.
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?
Other ways to express wanting something
- Want someone to do something: use てほしい (te hoshii) from N4.
- Someone else wants to do something: use たがる (tagaru) from N4.
- Want something: use がほしい (ga hoshii).
Click the image to download the flashcard.
Download all N5 grammar flashcards.
Download our complete
JLPT N5 Grammar Master E-book.
Access ALL extra downloads, ebooks, and study guides by supporting JLPT Sensei on Patreon.
たい - Example Sentences 例文
Each example sentence includes a Japanese hint, the romaji reading, and the English translation.
Click the below red button to toggle off and and on all of the hints, and you can click on the buttons individually to show only the ones you want to see.
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 |
View all JLPT N5 Vocabulary Lessons
View all JLPT N5 Grammar Lessons
JLPT N5 Study Guide
JLPT N5 Grammar Master [e-book]
Complete Study Guide
This e-book includes every grammar point you need to know in order to pass the JLPT N5, with detailed usage notes and numerous example sentences.
Pages: 192
N5 Grammar Flashcards
Full Batch Download
Download link includes:
- Print-ready PDF of square flashcards with cut-out guides (see preview)
- Full set of high quality .png image flashcards
- JLPT N5 Grammar 文法 square size (80 images)
- JLPT N5 Grammar 文法 rectangle size (80 images)
