A2 Adjectives 15 min read Easy

Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい)

Use [Object] ga hoshii to express that you want a specific thing in Japanese.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use ～ほしい (hoshii) to express that you want an object, following the pattern: [Object] + が + ほしい.

  • Use 'ga' particle for the object you want: {水|みず}がほしいです (I want water).
  • It functions like an i-adjective: {欲|ほ}しくない (don't want).
  • Never use it for third-person desires directly; use ～たがっている instead.
Object + が + ほしい

Overview

At an A2 CEFR level, effectively communicating desires is fundamental. In Japanese, when you want to express a desire for a specific object or abstract noun, you use the grammar pattern ～ほしい (hoshii). This pattern is not just about wanting; it describes a state where an item or concept is desirable to the speaker.

Understanding ほしい as an i-adjective is crucial; it functions like 高い (takai, expensive/tall) or 楽しい (tanoshii, fun), dictating its conjugation and particle usage.

Unlike English where "want" is a transitive verb, ほしい literally means "(something) is desirable" or "(something) is wanted." This adjective-based conceptualization ensures you approach its grammar correctly. For example, 新しい携帯がほしいです (Atarashii keitai ga hoshii desu) translates to "A new phone is desirable to me," rather than a direct verb action. This subtle but critical distinction is foundational for mastering ほしい and avoiding common grammatical pitfalls at this stage.

Its pitch accent is typically flat (ほ↑ し い). While often written in hiragana as ほしい, its kanji form is 欲(ほし)しい. Recognizing both, but primarily using hiragana for this grammar point, is common practice.

How This Grammar Works

The core of ～ほしい lies in its function as an i-adjective. Adjectives in Japanese describe the qualities or states of nouns. Consequently, the noun that ほしい describes—the item you desire—is marked with the particle が (ga), not を (o).
This is a key departure from transitive verbs, which use を to mark their direct objects. With ほしい, you are describing the noun as possessing the quality of being desired.
Consider the structure: [Noun of Desire] が ほしいです. Here, [Noun of Desire] functions as the grammatical subject of the adjective ほしい. For instance, お金がほしいです (Okane ga hoshii desu) means "Money is desirable (to me)." The お金 (okane, money) is the subject of the adjective ほしい.
This is analogous to saying お金が高いです (Okane ga takai desu, money is expensive), where お金 is also the subject.
This principle clarifies why が is mandatory with ほしい. You are not performing an action on the money; rather, the money is in a state of desirability for you. Incorrectly using を—as in お金をほしい—sounds fundamentally unnatural to a Japanese speaker, much like saying "money desire I" in English.
Understanding this subject-adjective relationship is vital for proper usage.
Furthermore, ほしい is predominantly used to express your own desire (first-person). In Japanese communication, directly asserting another person's internal feelings is generally avoided as it can appear presumptuous. For example, stating 田中さんは新しい車がほしいです (Tanaka-san wa atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu) implies you have direct access to Tanaka-san's inner thoughts, which is socially awkward.
Instead, when you observe signs that someone might want something, you would use indirect expressions or the related grammar ～たがる (tagaru), which specifically describes an observable outward show of wanting (e.g., 田中さんは新しい車をほしがっています – Tanaka-san seems to want a new car).
However, it is perfectly natural and polite to ask someone if they want something using ～がほしいですか (ga hoshii desu ka?). In this context, you are inquiring about their internal state, not making a definitive statement. For example, コーヒーがほしいですか (Kōhii ga hoshii desu ka?) is a common and appropriate way to offer coffee.

Formation Pattern

1
Forming sentences with ～ほしい is straightforward once you understand its i-adjective nature. The basic structure involves placing the desired noun, followed by the particle が, and then ほしい itself.
2
Basic Affirmative Structure:
3
[Noun] + が + ほしい (casual) / ほしいです (polite)
4
本 (hon, book) が ほしい (hon ga hoshii) – I want a book. (Casual)
5
暖かい飲み物 (attakai nomimono, warm drink) が ほしいです (attakai nomimono ga hoshii desu) – I want a warm drink. (Polite)
6
ほしい conjugates exactly like all other i-adjectives. This means you replace the final い with specific suffixes for negative, past, or negative past forms.
7
Conjugation Table for ほしい:
8
| Form | Transformation from ほしい | Polite Form | Casual Form |
9
|:----------------------|:-----------------------------|:------------------------|:-----------------------|
10
| Present Affirmative | N/A | ほしいです | ほしい |
11
| Present Negative | い → くない | ほしくないです | ほしくない |
12
| Past Affirmative | い → かった | ほしかったです | ほしかった |
13
| Past Negative | い → くなかった | ほしくなかったです | ほしくなかった |
14
Explanation of Conjugation:
15
Negative Form: To negate ほしい, drop the final い and attach くない (kunai). For polite speech, add です (desu), resulting in ほしくないです. This pattern is identical to 高くない (takakunai, not expensive) or 楽しくない (tanoshikunai, not fun).
16
もう何もほしくない。 (Mō nani mo hoshikunai.) – I don't want anything anymore. (Casual)
17
その本はほしくないです。 (Sono hon wa hoshikunai desu.) – I don't want that book. (Polite)
18
Past Form: To express a past desire, replace the final い with かった (katta). In polite contexts, use かったです (katta desu). This follows the pattern of 高かった (takakatta, was expensive) or 楽しかった (tanoshikatta, was fun).
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子供のころ、犬がほしかった。 (Kodomo no koro, inu ga hoshikatta.) – When I was a child, I wanted a dog. (Casual)
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あのゲームがほしかったです。 (Ano gēmu ga hoshikatta desu.) – I wanted that game. (Polite)
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Past Negative Form: Combine the negative and past conjugations. Start with the negative form (ほしくない), drop its final い, and add かった. Politely, it becomes ほしくなかったです.
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あの時は特に何もほしくなかった。 (Ano toki wa toku ni nani mo hoshikunakatta.) – At that time, I didn't particularly want anything. (Casual)
23
前のモデルはほしくなかったです。 (Mae no moderu wa hoshikunakatta desu.) – I didn't want the previous model. (Polite)
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Attributive Use:
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Like any i-adjective, ほしい can directly modify a noun to create a phrase meaning "desired [noun]" or "[noun] that I want." The structure is ほしい + [Noun].
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ほしいもの (hoshii mono) – a desired item; something I want.
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今一番ほしいものは何ですか？ (Ima ichiban hoshii mono wa nan desu ka?) – What's the one thing you want most right now?
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ほしい本がたくさんあります。 (Hoshii hon ga takusan arimasu.) – There are many books I want.
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This attributive form is extremely common, especially in everyday phrases such as ほしいものリスト (hoshii mono risuto, wish list).

When To Use It

～ほしい is a highly functional expression primarily used to articulate your personal desire for nouns, encompassing both tangible objects and abstract concepts. Mastering its appropriate contexts is crucial for natural communication at the A2 level and beyond.
  • Expressing Desire for Tangible Objects: This is the most common and direct application. Use ほしい whenever you want a physical item, from a new device to something to drink.
  • 新しい携帯電話がほしい。 (Atarashii keitai denwa ga hoshii.) – I want a new mobile phone.
  • 冷たい水がほしいです。 (Tsumetai mizu ga hoshii desu.) – I want some cold water.
  • このカバンがほしい！ (Kono kaban ga hoshii!) – I want this bag!
  • Expressing Desire for Abstract Concepts or States: ほしい extends beyond physical items to intangible desires. This includes concepts like time, peace, knowledge, or specific environmental conditions.
  • 時間 (jikan, time) が ほしい。 (Jikan ga hoshii.) – I want time.
  • もっと知識がほしいです。 (Motto chishiki ga hoshii desu.) – I want more knowledge.
  • 静かな場所がほしい。 (Shizuka na basho ga hoshii.) – I want a quiet place.
  • Asking About Someone Else's Desire (Politely): While directly stating another's desire with ほしい is generally avoided, inquiring about their wants is perfectly acceptable and common. You are asking them to self-report their internal state.
  • 何かほしいですか？ (Nanika hoshii desu ka?) – Do you want anything?
  • お茶がほしいですか？ (Ocha ga hoshii desu ka?) – Do you want tea?
  • もしよかったら、何かほしいものはありませんか。 (Moshi yokattara, nanika hoshii mono wa arimasen ka?) – If it's alright, isn't there anything you want? (A very polite, indirect way to offer or ask).
  • Softening Expressions or Hinting with んですが: Appending んですが (n desu ga) after ほしいです or ほしかったです softens your statement of desire. It often implies you are leading into a request, seeking advice, or gently stating a problem. This is a crucial technique for polite and indirect communication in Japanese.
  • 新しいパソコンがほしいんですが、どれがいいですか。 (Atarashii pasokon ga hoshii n desu ga, dore ga ii desu ka?) – I want a new computer, but which one would be good? (Implies seeking recommendations).
  • ちょっと休みがほしかったんですが、忙しすぎて。 (Chotto yasumi ga hoshikatta n desu ga, isogashisugite.) – I wanted a bit of a break, but I'm too busy. (Expresses a past desire and hints at current predicament).
  • Referring to "Desired Items" Attributively: As noted in the Formation Pattern section, ほしい modifying a noun (e.g., ほしいもの) is extremely useful for general discussions of wants, especially in shopping or gift-giving contexts.
  • 彼女のほしいものを知っていますか。 (Kanojo no hoshii mono o shitte imasu ka?) – Do you know what she wants (the things she desires)?
  • 誕生日プレゼントにほしいものリストを作った。 (Tanjōbi purezento ni hoshii mono risuto o tsukutta.) – I made a wish list for my birthday present.

Common Mistakes

Even at the A2 level, ～ほしい presents several common pitfalls for learners. These errors often stem from directly translating English concepts or misunderstanding ほしい's core nature. Actively identifying and correcting these mistakes will significantly improve your fluency and naturalness.
  • Using を (o) instead of が (ga): This is the most prevalent and fundamental error. Learners frequently use を because they mentally equate "want" to a transitive verb. However, ほしい is an i-adjective. The noun you desire is the grammatical subject of this adjective, hence it requires が. To a native speaker, リンゴをほしい (Ringo o hoshii) sounds as grammatically jarring as "I desire an apple is."
  • Incorrect: リンゴをほしい。
  • Correct: リンゴがほしい。 (Ringo ga hoshii.) – I want an apple.
Always reinforce the association: [Noun] が ほしい.
  • Using ほしい for Desiring an Action (Instead of ～たい): ほしい is strictly for expressing desire for nouns or abstract concepts. It cannot be used to express a desire to perform an action. For desiring an action (e.g., "I want to eat," "I want to go"), you must use the ～たい (tai) form, which attaches to the verb stem. Confusing these two patterns is a clear indicator of an A2-level learner struggling with the distinction between adjectives and verbs.
  • Incorrect: 寿司を食べたいがほしい。 (This is grammatically nonsensical.)
  • Incorrect: 寿司をほしい。 (While closer in meaning, it's still incorrect because ほしい requires が for the noun.)
  • Correct (desire for the noun): 寿司がほしい。 (Sushi ga hoshii.) – I want sushi.
  • Correct (desire for the action): 寿司を食べたい。 (Sushi o tabetai.) – I want to eat sushi.
Remember: ほしい for what you want (nouns); ～たい for what you want to do (actions).
  • Directly Stating Another Person's Desire with ほしい: As explained earlier, using ほしい to state what someone else wants is generally impolite and presumes mind-reading. Japanese culture values indirectness in such contexts. Instead, when you infer someone else's desire based on their observable behavior or circumstances, you should use ～たがる (tagaru). ～たがる is formed by taking the い from ～たい and replacing it with がる (garu), and then conjugating it as a verb. For example, 彼は新しい車をほしがっています (Kare wa atarashii kuruma o hoshigatte imasu, He seems to want a new car).
  • Incorrect: 彼は新しい車がほしいです。 (Kare wa atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu.) – (Sounds like you know his thoughts).
  • Correct (Observational): 彼は新しい車をほしがっています。 (Kare wa atarashii kuruma o hoshigatte imasu.) – He shows signs of wanting a new car.
  • Correct (Indirect/Speculative): 彼も新しい車がほしいかもしれません。 (Kare mo atarashii kuruma ga hoshii kamo shiremasen.) – He might also want a new car.
Restrict ほしい for yourself or for politely asking others.
  • Confusing ほしい with ～てほしい: These two patterns, despite containing ほしい, have entirely different meanings and grammatical structures. ～てほしい (te hoshii) means "I want someone else to do something." It expresses your desire for an action to be performed by a third party. This pattern uses the て (te) form of a verb attached to ほしい.
  • [Noun] が ほしい: Expresses your desire for a noun.
  • 新しい本がほしいです。 (Atarashii hon ga hoshii desu.) – I want a new book.
  • [Verb て-form] ほしい: Expresses your desire for someone else to perform an action.
  • 彼に手伝ってほしいです。 (Kare ni tetsudatte hoshii desu.) – I want him to help me.
The presence of the て form of a verb is the critical distinguishing feature. These patterns are not interchangeable.
  • Overuse or Directness in Formal/Business Settings: While grammatically correct, expressing direct desires for material things or personal benefits with ほしい can sound overly blunt, demanding, or immature in formal or professional contexts. For example, もっと給料がほしいです (Motto kyūryō ga hoshii desu, I want more salary) delivered directly to a superior without significant prior context or softening could be considered impolite. More indirect or humble phrasing is typically preferred. This nuance highlights the importance of situational awareness in Japanese communication.
  • Potentially inappropriate: もっと給料がほしいです。
  • More appropriate (indirect): 給料についてご相談したいことがあります。 (Kyūryō ni tsuite go-sōdan shitai koto ga arimasu.) – I have something I'd like to discuss regarding my salary.
Understanding these common errors and the underlying reasons will significantly enhance your precision and cultural sensitivity when using ほしい.

Common Collocations

Familiarity with common collocations—words and phrases that frequently occur together—will make your use of ～ほしい sound more natural and idiomatic. These examples illustrate typical nouns that are desired and adverbs that modify the intensity or nuance of that desire.
Frequently Desired Nouns:
These are common items or concepts that people often express a desire for.
  • お金(おかね) (okane): money
  • お金がほしい！ (Okane ga hoshii!) – I want money! (Often said jokingly or with strong emphasis).
  • 時間(じかん) (jikan): time
  • もっと時間があればいいのに。 (Motto jikan ga areba ii noni.) – I wish I had more time. (Implies a strong desire for time that isn't currently met).
  • 休み(やすみ) (yasumi): holiday, day off
  • 長い休みがほしいです。 (Nagai yasumi ga hoshii desu.) – I want a long holiday.
  • 恋人(こいびと) (koibito): lover, significant other
  • 今年こそ恋人がほしいな。 (Kotoshi koso koibito ga hoshii na.) – I really want a partner this year. (The な adds a softer, contemplative tone).
  • 車(くるま) (kuruma): car
  • 新しい車がほしいですか。 (Atarashii kuruma ga hoshii desu ka?) – Do you want a new car?
  • 水(みず) (mizu): water
  • 喉が渇いた。水がほしい。 (Nodo ga kawaita. Mizu ga hoshii.) – I'm thirsty. I want water.
  • 情報(じょうほう) (jōhō): information
  • もっと詳しい情報がほしいです。 (Motto kuwashii jōhō ga hoshii desu.) – I want more detailed information.
  • 平和(へいわ) (heiwa): peace
  • 世界平和がほしい。 (Sekai heiwa ga hoshii.) – I want world peace.
Common Modifying Adverbs:
These adverbs can be used before ほしい to add emphasis, degree, or nuance to your desire.
  • もっと (motto): more, still more
  • もっと本がほしい。 (Motto hon ga hoshii.) – I want more books.
  • どうしても (dōshite mo): no matter what, by all means, desperately
  • どうしてもこのバッグがほしい！ (Dōshite mo kono baggu ga hoshii!) – I absolutely, desperately want this bag!
  • すごく (sugoku) / とても (totemo) / 本当に (hontō ni): very, really, truly
  • 本当にあれがほしいです。 (Hontō ni are ga hoshii desu.) – I really want that.
  • 少し (sukoshi) / ちょっと (chotto): a little, a bit (often used for minor, temporary desires)
  • ちょっとコーヒーがほしい。 (Chotto kōhii ga hoshii.) – I want a little coffee.
Common Phrases and Expressions:
  • ～がほしいな (ga hoshii na): The particle な adds a soft, contemplative, or slightly wistful tone. It often implies thinking aloud or a gentle expression of desire. Very common in casual speech.
  • 美味しいケーキがほしいな。 (Oishii kēki ga hoshii na.) – I want some delicious cake, (I wonder if I can get some).
  • ～がほしいんですが (ga hoshii n desu ga): As discussed, this expression softens the desire, often functioning as a preamble to a request, a question, or a statement of difficulty. It creates a conversational opening.
  • 新しいスマホがほしいんですが、どれがいいか迷っています。 (Atarashii sumaho ga hoshii n desu ga, dore ga ii ka mayotte imasu.) – I want a new smartphone, but I'm unsure which one to choose.
  • ほしいもの (hoshii mono): Literally "a desired thing" or "something I want." This attributive form is useful as a general noun phrase, particularly when discussing lists or categories of desired items.
  • クリスマスにほしいものは何？ (Kurisumasu ni hoshii mono wa nani?) – What do you want for Christmas (what are your desired items)?

Quick FAQ

This section addresses common questions and clarifies nuanced aspects of ～ほしい, further solidifying your understanding.
Q1: Can ほしい be used for people?
A: Yes, but with specific, often intense, and culturally sensitive connotations. When you say [Person] が ほしい ([Person] ga hoshii), it implies a strong desire for that person's presence, attention, or for them to be yours, often in a romantic, intimate, or deeply personal context. It conveys a longing.
Use this carefully, as out of context, it can sound possessive or inappropriate due to its directness.
  • あなただけがほしい。 (Anata dake ga hoshii.) – I only want you. (Strong romantic implication).
  • 私には理解者がほしい。 (Watashi ni wa rikaisha ga hoshii.) – I want someone who understands me. (Desire for a specific type of companion/relationship).
Q2: What is the main difference between ほしい and ～たい?
A: This is a critical distinction at the A2 level:
  • ～ほしい (hoshii): Expresses a desire for a noun or abstract concept. The object of desire is marked with が.
  • 水がほしいです。 (Mizu ga hoshii desu.) – I want water (the noun).
  • ～たい (tai): Expresses a desire to perform an action (a verb). It attaches to the verb stem.
  • 水を飲みたいです。 (Mizu o nomitai desu.) – I want to drink water (the action of drinking).
Never interchange these. ほしい is for what you want; ～たい is for what you want to do.
Q3: How do I politely ask someone if they want something?
A: You can directly use ～がほしいですか？ (ga hoshii desu ka?). This is a common and polite way to inquire about their desire. You are simply asking for their internal state, which is acceptable.
  • 何か飲み物がほしいですか？ (Nanika nomimono ga hoshii desu ka?) – Do you want something to drink?
  • この本、ほしいですか？ (Kono hon, hoshii desu ka?) – Do you want this book?
For an even softer or more indirect approach, especially when offering, you might use phrases like ～はいかがですか？ (wa ikaga desu ka?, How about...?) or ～はどうですか？ (wa dō desu ka?, How about...?) rather than a direct ほしい question.
Q4: Can I use ほしい to say "I want you to do something"?
A: No, this is another distinct and frequently confused grammar pattern: ～てほしい (te hoshii). This pattern uses the て (te) form of a verb followed by ほしい. It translates to "I want (someone) to do (something)," expressing your desire for an action to be performed by a third party, not for a noun by you.
  • 彼に手伝ってほしいです。 (Kare ni tetsudatte hoshii desu.) – I want him to help me.
  • 早く帰ってほしい。 (Hayaku kaette hoshii.) – I want you (or him/her) to go home quickly.
The critical element here is the verb's て form, which clearly distinguishes it from simple [Noun] が ほしい.
Q5: Is there a kanji for ほしい? What about pitch accent?
A: Yes, the kanji is 欲(ほし)しい. However, in most contexts for this grammar point, especially in less formal writing or where clarity for learners is paramount, it is frequently written in hiragana as ほしい. For A2 learners, recognizing both is beneficial, but using hiragana is perfectly acceptable.
Regarding pitch accent, ほしい typically has a flat pitch pattern (平板型 heiban-gata). This means the pitch remains high after an initial rise, or stays flat throughout if there is no initial rise. Pronounce it as ほ↑ し い, with the pitch staying relatively even across the syllables.

Conjugation of ほしい

Form Japanese English
Affirmative
ほしい
Want
Negative
ほしくない
Don't want
Past
ほしかった
Wanted
Past Negative
ほしくなかった
Didn't want
Te-form
ほしくて
Wanting and...
Conditional
ほしければ
If you want

Meanings

Used to express a personal desire for a physical object or possession.

1

Direct desire

Expressing a personal want for an object.

“{本|ほん}がほしいです。”

“{時間|じかん}がほしいです。”

2

Negative desire

Expressing that you do not want something.

“{何|なに}もほしくないです。”

“{お金|おかね}はほしくないです。”

3

Questioning desire

Asking someone what they want.

“{何|なに}がほしいですか？”

“{プレゼント|ぷれぜんと}は何がほしい？”

Reference Table

Reference table for Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Noun + が + ほしい
{水|みず}がほしい
Negative
Noun + は + ほしくない
{水|みず}はほしくない
Past
Noun + が + ほしかった
{水|みず}がほしかった
Question
Noun + が + ほしいですか
{水|みず}がほしいですか
Third Person
Noun + を + ほしがる
{彼|かれ}が{水|みず}をほしがる
Request Action
Verb-te + ほしい
{食|た}べてほしい

Formality Spectrum

Formal
{水|みず}がほしいです。

{水|みず}がほしいです。 (General)

Neutral
{水|みず}がほしい。

{水|みず}がほしい。 (General)

Informal
{水|みず}ほしい。

{水|みず}ほしい。 (General)

Slang
{水|みず}くれ。

{水|みず}くれ。 (General)

Desire Map

ほしい

Objects

  • {車|くるま} Car
  • {本|ほん} Book

States

  • ほしくない Don't want
  • ほしかった Wanted
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Examples by Level

1

{水|みず}がほしいです。

I want water.

2

{本|ほん}がほしいです。

I want a book.

3

{猫|ねこ}がほしいです。

I want a cat.

4

{何|なに}がほしいですか？

What do you want?

1

{車|くるま}はほしくないです。

I don't want a car.

2

{時間|じかん}がほしかったです。

I wanted time.

3

{何|なに}もほしくないです。

I don't want anything.

4

{彼|かれ}は何がほしいですか？

What does he want?

1

{新|あたら}しい{服|ふく}がほしいんですが。

I want new clothes, but...

2

{誰|だれ}もほしくない{物|もの}です。

It is something nobody wants.

3

{本当|ほんとう}にこれがほしいの？

Do you really want this?

4

{子供|こども}は{おもちゃ|おもちゃ}をほしがっています。

The child wants a toy.

1

{私|わたし}に{何|なに}をしてほしいですか？

What do you want me to do?

2

{彼|かれ}には{成功|せいこう}してほしいです。

I want him to succeed.

3

{平和|へいわ}がほしいと{願|ねが}っています。

I wish for peace.

4

{欲|ほ}しい{物|もの}が{多|おお}すぎて{困|こま}ります。

I have too many things I want, it's a problem.

1

{彼|かれ}が{何|なに}をほしがっているのか{分|わ}かりません。

I don't know what he wants.

2

{金銭|きんせん}よりも{愛|あい}がほしい。

I want love more than money.

3

{何|なに}がほしいか{聞|き}いてみたら？

Why don't you try asking what they want?

4

{欲|ほ}しくない{理由|りゆう}を{教|おし}えてください。

Please tell me the reason you don't want it.

1

{欲|ほ}しがる{心|こころ}を{捨|す}てるのは{難|むずか}しい。

It is hard to discard the heart that wants.

2

{何|なに}を{欲|ほ}しても{手|て}に{入|はい}らない。

No matter what I want, I cannot obtain it.

3

{欲|ほ}しい{物|もの}に{囲|かこ}まれて{幸|しあわ}せです。

I am happy being surrounded by things I want.

4

{欲|ほ}しければ{言|い}ってください。

If you want it, please say so.

Easily Confused

Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい) vs Hoshii vs Tai

Learners mix up object desire and action desire.

Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい) vs Hoshii vs Tagaru

Learners use 'hoshii' for third person.

Expressing Desire for Objects (～ほしい) vs Ga vs O

Learners use 'o' because it's an object.

Common Mistakes

✗

水がほしいをください

✓

水がほしいです

Don't mix 'hoshii' with 'kudasai'.
✗

本をほしい

✓

本がほしい

Use 'ga', not 'o'.
✗

食べるがほしい

✓

食べたい

Hoshii is for objects, not verbs.
✗

私はほしい

✓

私は～がほしい

You must specify what you want.
✗

彼がほしい

✓

彼は～をほしがっている

Don't use 'hoshii' for others.
✗

ほしくないです

✓

ほしくないです

This is actually correct, but watch for 'hoshii nai'.
✗

ほしいでした

✓

ほしかったです

Hoshii is an adjective, not a verb.
✗

～してほしいです (to a boss)

✓

～していただけませんか

Hoshii is too direct for superiors.
✗

彼がほしいと言った

✓

彼が～をほしがっていると言った

Reported speech requires 'tagaru'.
✗

お金はほしくない

✓

お金はほしくない

Correct, but ensure context is clear.
✗

～がほしいと願う

✓

～を欲する

Use 'hossuru' for literary/formal contexts.
✗

彼がほしいもの

✓

彼がほしがっているもの

Correct relative clause usage.
✗

欲しくない理由

✓

欲しくない理由

Correct, but ensure register matches.

Sentence Patterns

___がほしいです。

___はほしくないです。

___がほしかったです。

___をしてほしいです。

Real World Usage

Shopping very common

{これ|これ}がほしいです。

Gift giving very common

{何|なに}がほしい？

Texting common

{これ|これ}ほしい！

Job interview occasional

{経験|けいけん}がほしいです。

Travel common

{地図|ちず}がほしいです。

Food delivery occasional

{水|みず}がほしいです。

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💡

Particle Power

Always use 'ga' with 'hoshii'. It marks the object as the focus of your desire.
⚠️

Don't be rude

Avoid saying 'hoshii' to your boss. Use '...ga hoshii n desu ga' or '...o itadakitai desu'.
🎯

The 'Tagaru' rule

If you are talking about someone else's desire, use '...o hoshigatte imasu'.
💬

Modesty

Japanese culture values modesty. Sometimes it's better to say '...ga areba ureshii desu' (I would be happy if I had...) instead of just 'hoshii'.

Smart Tips

Use 'ga' to mark the object.

本をほしいです。 → 本がほしいです。

Use 'tagaru' instead of 'hoshii'.

彼は本がほしいです。 → 彼は本をほしがっています。

Use '...te hoshii' for actions.

食べるがほしいです。 → 食べてほしいです。

Soften the request.

水がほしいです。 → 水がほしいんですが。

Pronunciation

/hoɕii/

Hoshii

Pronounce as 'ho-shee'.

Rising

ほしいですか？↑

Questioning desire.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Hoshii sounds like 'ho-see', as in 'I hope I see the thing I want'.

Visual Association

Imagine holding a giant magnet labeled 'GA' that pulls the object you want toward you.

Rhyme

For objects you want, use 'ga hoshii', it's as easy as one, two, three!

Story

Ken is in a store. He sees a cool watch. He points and says 'Tokei ga hoshii'. The clerk smiles. Ken is happy.

Word Web

{欲|ほ}しい{欲|ほ}しくない{欲|ほ}しかった{欲|ほ}しがる{物|もの}{何|なに}

Challenge

Look at 5 things in your room and say '[Item] ga hoshii' for each one.

Cultural Notes

Directly saying 'hoshii' can be seen as childish or demanding. It is often better to use '...ga hoshii n desu ga' to imply a request.

Derived from the verb 'hosu' (to dry), implying a state of 'thirsting' or 'craving' for something.

Conversation Starters

“

何がほしいですか？

“

子供の時、何がほしかったですか？

“

誰かにしてほしいことはありますか？

“

欲しくないものは何ですか？

Journal Prompts

Write about 3 things you want for your birthday.
Describe something you wanted as a child but didn't get.
Write a dialogue where you refuse a gift politely.
Discuss the difference between wanting things and needing things.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct particle.

私は本___ほしいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: が
Hoshii requires 'ga'.
Which is correct for third person? Multiple Choice

彼は車を___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ほしがる
Use 'tagaru' for others.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

食べるがほしいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 食べたいです
Hoshii is for objects.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

Arrange the words in the correct order:

All words placed

Click words above to build the sentence

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 水がほしいです
Standard order.
Translate to Japanese. Translation

I don't want money.

Answer starts with: お金は...

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: お金はほしくないです
Wa is used for contrast.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 何がほしい？ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 本がほしい
Ga is required.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'hoshikatta' with 'time'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 時間がほしかったです
Ga is required.
Match the form. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ほしい:ほしくない
Negative form.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct particle.

私は本___ほしいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: が
Hoshii requires 'ga'.
Which is correct for third person? Multiple Choice

彼は車を___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ほしがる
Use 'tagaru' for others.
Fix the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

食べるがほしいです。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 食べたいです
Hoshii is for objects.
Reorder the words. Sentence Reorder

ほしい / が / 水 / です

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 水がほしいです
Standard order.
Translate to Japanese. Translation

I don't want money.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: お金はほしくないです
Wa is used for contrast.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: 何がほしい？ B: ___

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 本がほしい
Ga is required.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

Use 'hoshikatta' with 'time'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 時間がほしかったです
Ga is required.
Match the form. Match Pairs

Match 'want' to 'don't want'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ほしい:ほしくない
Negative form.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

10 exercises
Put the words in order to say 'I want a new PC.' Sentence Reorder

ordered

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {新|あたら}しい パソコン が {欲|ほ}しいです
Which one is for an action (doing something)? Multiple Choice

Which sentence means 'I want to drink water'?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {水|みず}を{飲|の}みたいです
Translate 'I don't want homework' into casual Japanese. Translation

I don't want homework.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {宿題|しゅくだい}が{欲|ほ}しくない
Fill in the blank for someone else's desire (Advanced). Fill in the Blank

{弟|おとうと}はゲームを ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {欲|ほ}しがっています
Identify the incorrect usage. Error Correction

Which of these is WRONG?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {彼女|かのじょ}は{猫|ねこ}が{欲|ほ}しいです。
Match the contexts. Match Pairs

Where would you say these?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
How do you say 'I really want' informally? Multiple Choice

Pick the most natural informal phrase for 'I really want (this)'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: めっちゃ{欲|ほ}しい
Reorder: 'What do you want for your birthday?' Sentence Reorder

ordered

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {誕生日|たんじょうび} に {何|なに} が {欲|ほ}しい ですか
Translate 'I wanted time' (Polite). Translation

I wanted time.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {時間|じかん}が{欲|ほ}しかったです
Select the correct negative polite form. Fill in the Blank

{高|たか}いバッグは ___。

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: {欲|ほ}しくないです

Score: /10

FAQ (8)

No, use 'tai' for actions.

Because 'hoshii' is an adjective, not a verb.

Use '...te hoshii'.

It is neutral. Add 'desu' for politeness.

Use 'tagaru'.

Yes, for contrast.

Use with caution; it can be direct.

Hoshikatta.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Sign up free to practice

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Querer

Japanese requires a particle change (ga).

French moderate

Vouloir

Japanese is stative.

German moderate

Wollen

Japanese is strictly for objects.

Japanese high

Hossuru

Hoshii is for daily use.

Arabic moderate

Yureed

Arabic is dynamic.

Chinese moderate

Xiang yao

Chinese does not conjugate.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Next
Expressing Desire: "I want to..." (～tai)

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