Structure
Noun + が + ほしい
Details
Register
Standard
使用域
一般
About がほしい
To say that you want something in Japanese, the が particle will be combined with the い-Adjective 欲しい 'to want (A)', or 'to desire (A)'. This is exactly the same way as other い-Adjectives behave when describing nouns.
- 新しい車が欲しいけど、今はお金が無いから買えない。I want a new car, but I don't have any money right now, so I can't buy one.
- 犬が欲しいけどスペースが無い。I want a dog, but I don't have space.
Caution
This use of 欲しい is only used for saying that you want 'things' (nouns). The auxiliary verb たい will be used when saying that you want to 'do' something (verbs).- あそこのラーメン屋の餃子を食べたい。I want to eat gyoza from that ramen shop over there.
- 私の彼氏に大事にしてほしい。I want my boyfriend to treat me like I am important.
Synonyms
Examples
誕生日にお金がほしい。
I want money for my birthday.
新しい靴より、新しいカバンの方がほしい。
More than new shoes, I want a new bag.
私はいい服などがほしいです。
I want things such as nice clothes.
使いやすい箸がほしい。
I want chopsticks that are easy to use.
あの綺麗な着物がほしい。
I want that beautiful kimono.
Get more example sentences!
Premium users get access to 12 example sentences on all Grammar Points.
Self-Study Sentences
Study your own way!
Add sentences and study them alongside Bunpro sentences.
Online
Expressing Desire in Japanese
PuniPuni
Offline
みんなの日本語 I
Page 86 [CH 13]
Genki II 2nd Edition
Page 54
[DBJG] A Dictionary of Basic Japanese Grammar
Page 144
Genki II 1st Edition
Page 32
Tae Kim's Japanese Grammar Guide
Page 148
Track Resources!
Bunpro tracks all of the resources you’ve visited, and offers relevant bookmarks of physical books to help with offline tracking.
がほしい – Grammar Discussion
Most Recent Replies (2 in total)
LotBlind
So the “wa”-particle is never correct with this one? Even when it’s in a negative sentence?
nekoyama
I don’t think there’s a special rule for は here that would prevent you from using it. If that’s what you want to say, it can indicate contrast, or a minimum amount, or just make the wanted thing the topic, etc.
Got questions about がほしい? Join us to discuss, ask, and learn together!
Join the Discussion