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    Dictionary
    1. Dictionary
    2. Grammar
    3. 〜て欲しい

    〜て欲しい

    〜て欲しい

    You use this to say you want someone else to do something. You are asking them to do it for you.

    N4KMT3CasualStandardAuxiliary ConstructionMixedBasic DesireGrammar

    Verb [て-form] + 欲しいPrimary
    Verb [ない-form] + で + 欲しい

    You use this to say you want someone else to do something. You are asking them to do it for you.

    もっと早はやく来きて欲ほしいんだけど。

    I want you to come earlier, you know.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativeSentence EndingRequestDaily Life
    他ほかの人ひとには、この話はなしをしないで欲ほしい。

    I want you to not tell this story to anyone else.

    NeutralNon PastNegativeSentence EndingRequestFamily & RelationshipsEmotions & Psychology
    本ほん当とうのことを言いって欲ほしかった。

    I wanted you to tell me the truth.

    NeutralPastAffirmativeSentence EndingDesireEmotions & PsychologyFamily & Relationships
    君きみに手て伝つだって欲ほしい仕し事ごとが山やまほどあるんだ。

    There's a mountain of work that I want you to help with.

    CasualNon PastAffirmativePrenominalDesireWork & Career
    政せい府ふにはもっと国こく民みんの声こえに耳みみを傾かたむけて欲ほしいと多おおくの人ひとが思おもっている。

    Many people feel that they want the government to listen more to the voice of the people.

    FormalNon PastAffirmativeMid SentenceDesirePolitics & Law

    This is different from '〜たい' (tai). '〜たい' means *you* want to do something. '〜て欲しい' means you want *someone else* to do something. For example, 'I want to help' uses '〜たい'. 'I want *you* to help' uses '〜て欲しい'.

    Watch out: Use 'に' after the person you want to do something. For example, '田中さんに行って欲しい' means 'I want Tanaka-san to go.' If you use 'が' instead, it sounds like Tanaka-san wants to go. That is a different grammar point.

    Don't use this when you talk to your boss. For example, don't say "手伝って欲しい" (I want you to help me) to your teacher. This phrase shows you want someone else to do something. It can sound strong. Use it with family or close friends. You can use it with people younger than you. For bosses or in formal places, use kinder phrases. Try "〜ていただきたい" or "〜ていただけませんか" instead.

    Contrasts with(1)

    〜たい

    This means "I want to do something." You use it to talk about your own wishes.

    て形

    This is a special form of words. You use it to connect actions or ideas. It can mean "and then," "because," or "by doing something."

    ない形

    This is how you make a verb negative. It means "do not" or "will not." It is the casual way to say 〜ません.

    〜が欲しい

    You use this to say you want something. It can be a thing, a person, or an idea.

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    Related concepts for this entry

    contrasts_with

    • 〜たい

    prerequisite

    • て形
    • ない形
    • 〜が欲しい
    • 〜なむ

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