What does 〜が欲しい mean in Japanese?

〜が欲しい expresses 'want (thing)' in Japanese. It is a N5-level grammar pattern. It is one of the most fundamental patterns in Japanese, used constantly in everyday conversation.

What JLPT level is 〜が欲しい?

〜が欲しい is classified as JLPT N5 grammar. This is a foundational pattern you will learn early in your studies.

〜が欲しい

want (thing)

N5desire-intent

〜が欲しい expresses want (thing) — a pattern for communicating wants, intentions, and plans. Japanese has multiple expressions for desire and intent, each with different levels of certainty and social appropriateness.

This is a foundational pattern that you will use from day one of your Japanese studies.

Structure

[Thing] + が + ほしい

When to Use#

Wanting an object: 新しいパソコンがほしい (I want a new computer)
Wanting someone to do something: 早く来てほしい (I want you to come soon)

When NOT to Use#

When the meaning is closer to "want to ~" — use 〜たい instead
In very formal writing where a more sophisticated expression would be expected

Example Sentences#

白いTシャツが欲しいです。 — I want a white T-shirt.
茶色のブーツが欲しいです。 — I want brown boots.

Practice#

Try reading these sentences aloud, then check the translation and vocabulary:

N5shopping

I want a white T-shirt.

Neutral

白(しろ)いTシャツが欲(ほ)しいです。

Casual

白(しろ)いTシャツが欲(ほ)しい。

Vocabulary

白いwhiteTシャツT-shirt欲しいto want

Grammar

〜が欲しいwant (something)

Try in JIVX

N5shopping

I want brown boots.

Neutral

茶色(ちゃいろ)のブーツが欲(ほ)しいです。

Casual

茶色(ちゃいろ)のブーツが欲(ほ)しい。

Vocabulary

茶色brownブーツboots欲しいto want

Grammar

〜が欲しいwant (something)

Try in JIVX

Common Mistakes#

Confusing 〜が欲しい with 〜たい — While both are related, 〜が欲しい expresses "want (thing)" whereas 〜たい expresses "want to ~." Pay attention to the specific nuance each pattern conveys.
Direct translation from English — The concept expressed by 〜が欲しい may not map one-to-one with its English translation. Focus on understanding the Japanese usage through example sentences rather than relying on the English gloss.

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