Processing keyword: Verb たいです (taidesu)
Japanese Grammar Point: Verb たいです (taidesu)
1. Introduction
In Japanese, expressing your desires and wants is a fundamental part of everyday communication. The grammar pattern 「動詞＋たいです」 (Verb + tai desu) allows you to convey what you want to do in a straightforward way. This lesson will delve into how to form and use this grammar point effectively.
2. Core Grammar Explanation
Meaning
「動詞＋たいです」 means "I want to [verb]." It is used to express the speaker's desire to perform a particular action.
Structure
To construct this form:
- Take the verb in its dictionary form.
- Convert it to the ます-stem (also known as the verb stem).
- Add 「たいです」 to the stem.
Formation Diagram
| Verb (Dictionary Form) | ます-Stem | + たいです | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 食べる (taberu) | 食べ | 食べたいです | I want to eat |
| 行く (iku) | 行き | 行きたいです | I want to go |
| 読む (yomu) | 読み | 読みたいです | I want to read |
| 書く (kaku) | 書き | 書きたいです | I want to write |
| 会う (au) | 会い | 会いたいです | I want to meet |
Detailed Explanation
Step 1: Get the ます-Stem
To find the ます-stem of a verb:
- For 五段動詞 (Godan verbs): Change the final u sound to the corresponding i sound.
- Example: 書く (kaku) -> 書き (kaki)
- For 一段動詞 (Ichidan verbs): Remove the final る (ru).
- Example: 食べる (taberu) -> 食べ (tabe)
Step 2: Add 「たいです」
Attach たいです to the ます-stem:
- 食べ + たいです = 食べたいです
Conjugation of たいです
The たいです ending conjugates like an い形容詞 (i-adjective).
Positive Form
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 動詞ます-stem + たいです | 食べたいです (I want to eat) |
| Past | 動詞ます-stem + たかったです | 食べたかったです (I wanted to eat) |
Negative Form
| Tense | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Present | 動詞ます-stem + たくないです | 食べたくないです (I don't want to eat) |
| Past | 動詞ます-stem + たくなかったです | 食べたくなかったです (I didn't want to eat) |
3. Comparative Analysis
Comparing 「たいです」 with Similar Expressions
1. 「〜たがっています」
- Usage: When expressing someone else's desire.
- Structure: 動詞ます-stem + たがっています
- Example: 彼は新しい車を 買いたがっています。
- Kare wa atarashii kuruma o kaitagatte imasu.
- Translation: He wants to buy a new car.
2. 「〜たいと思います」
- Usage: To soften the expression of desire (more polite/formal).
- Structure: 動詞ます-stem + たいと思います
- Example: 日本へ行き たいと思います。
- Nihon e iki tai to omoimasu.
- Translation: I think I want to go to Japan.
4. Examples in Context
Formal Situations
- 大学で日本語を勉強したいです。
- Daigaku de nihongo o benkyou shitai desu.
- Translation: I want to study Japanese at university.
- 明日、社長に会いたいです。
- Ashita, shachou ni aitai desu.
- Translation: I want to meet the company president tomorrow.
Informal Situations
- ゲームがしたい。
- Geemu ga shitai.
- Translation: I want to play a game.
- 今日は何もしたくない。
- Kyou wa nanimo shitakunai.
- Translation: I don't want to do anything today.
Questions
- 何を食べたいですか。
- Nani o tabetai desu ka.
- Translation: What do you want to eat?
- 週末はどこへ行きたいですか。
- Shuumatsu wa doko e ikitai desu ka.
- Translation: Where do you want to go this weekend?
Negative Forms
- その映画は見たくないです。
- Sono eiga wa mitakunai desu.
- Translation: I don't want to see that movie.
- もう待ちたくなかったです。
- Mou machitakunakatta desu.
- Translation: I didn't want to wait anymore.
5. Cultural Notes
Cultural Relevance
- In Japanese culture, expressing one's desires directly is acceptable among close friends and family. However, in formal settings or with superiors, it's polite to soften expressions.
Politeness and Formality
- Direct (Casual): 行きたい。
- Used among friends or peers.
- Polite: 行きたいです。
- Standard polite form.
- More Polite/Formal: 行きたいと思っています。
- Used in formal situations or with superiors.
Idiomatic Expressions Using 「たいです」
- 死にたいほど疲れた。
- Shinitai hodo tsukareta.
- Translation: I'm so tired I could die.
- Note: An idiomatic way to express extreme fatigue.
6. Common Mistakes and Tips
Error Analysis
Mistake 1: Using Dictionary Form Instead of ます-Stem
- Incorrect: 食べるたいです。
- Correct: 食べたいです。 Tip: Always use the ます-stem of the verb before adding たいです.
Mistake 2: Using 「たいです」 for Third Person
- Incorrect: 彼は日本に行きたいです。
- Correct: 彼は日本に 行きたがっています。 Tip: Use たがっています to express someone else's desires.
Learning Strategies
- Practice Converting Verbs:
- Regularly change verbs from dictionary form to ます-stem.
- Remember the い-Adjective Conjugation:
- Since たいです conjugates like an い-adjective, review how to form negative and past tense forms of い-adjectives.
7. Summary and Review
Key Takeaways
- 「動詞ます-stem + たいです」 is used to express personal desires.
- Conjugate たいです like an い-adjective for tense and negativity.
- Use たがっています when talking about someone else's wants.
- Adjust the level of politeness based on the context and the person you are speaking to.
Quick Recap Quiz
- Form the sentence: "I want to buy a new book."
- How do you say: "She wants to eat sushi." (Use appropriate grammar for third person.)
- What is the negative past form of 見たいです?
Answers:
- 新しい本を買いたいです。
- Atarashii hon o kaitai desu.
- 彼女はお寿司を食べたがっています。
- Kanojo wa osushi o tabetagatte imasu.
- 見たくなかったです。
- Mitakunakatta desu.
By mastering 「動詞＋たいです」, you can effectively communicate your wants and desires in Japanese, enhancing your conversational skills and cultural understanding.