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たい (Want to Do)

[Verb Stem]たい

Explanation

Expresses desire to do something (first person or questions).

Formation

Verb stem + たい

Examples

日本に行きたいです。
Nihon ni ikitai desu.
I want to go to Japan.
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何が食べたいですか。
Nani ga tabetai desu ka.
What do you want to eat?
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もう帰りたい。
Mou kaeritai.
I want to go home already.
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Usage Notes

  • Conjugates like い-adjective
  • が or を can mark object
  • Only for speaker's desires (or questions)
  • たがる for third person (N4)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Can't use たい for others' desires (except in questions)
  • Object can be が or を - が emphasizes desire
  • Past: たかった (not たいでした in casual)

Related Grammar from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"

ます-form (Polite Present/Future)

[Verb Stem]ます

Polite form for present habitual actions or future intentions.

ました (Polite Past)

[Verb Stem]ました

Polite past tense form indicating completed actions.

ません (Polite Negative)

[Verb Stem]ません

Polite negative form for present/future.

More from "Verb Forms and Conjugations"