てほしい
Want Someone to Do
Use the て form + ほしい to say "I want (someone) to do (something)." It focuses on the speaker's desire regarding another person's behavior.
How It Works
The pattern ～てほしい is a common way to express personal wishes or requests in Japanese.
1. Formation:
It is formed by attaching ほしい (which conjugates like an い-adjective) to the て form of a verb.
- 話す (はなす) → 話してほしい (I want you to speak)
- 来る (くる) → 来てほしい (I want you to come)
2. Particles:
The person who is expected to do the action is marked with the particle に. The object of the action usually takes を or が.
Example: あなたに日本語を話してほしい。 (I want you to speak Japanese.)
3. Negative Forms:
There are two ways to express a negative desire:
- ～ないでほしい: "I want you not to do X." (A request for inaction).
- ～てほしくない: "I don't want you to do X." (Expressing a lack of desire; often sounds more like a complaint).
4. Social Nuance:
Because this expression directly states your own will, it can sound pushy or demanding. It is generally not used toward superiors (bosses, teachers). In those cases, use てください or more polite forms like ～てもらいたい.
Examples (4)
- もっと日本語を話してほしいです。
I want you to speak more Japanese.
Word by Word: More Japanese (object) speak-te want is.
A polite but direct expression of desire toward a peer or junior.
- お母さんにここにいてほしい。
I want my mother to stay here.
Word by Word: Mother (target) here at stay-te want.
The person performing the action (staying) is marked with に.
- そんなに怒らないでほしい。
I want you not to get so angry.
Word by Word: That much get angry-not-te want.
Using the negative 'naide' form to request that someone refrains from an action.
- 明日は晴れてほしいな。
I hope it will be sunny tomorrow.
Word by Word: Tomorrow (topic) clear up-te want (particle).
This pattern can also be used for inanimate things or nature, expressing a wish for a state to occur.
Common Mistakes
Using the pattern for your own actions.
私はパンを食べてほしい。私はパンを食べたい。If you are the one performing the action, use the ～たい form. ～てほしい is strictly for wanting others to act.
Using the wrong particle for the person performing the action.
あなたを来てほしい。あなたに来てほしい。The person you want the favor from must be marked with に, not を.
Using it to address a teacher or boss.
先生、教えてほしいです。先生、教えていただけませんか。～てほしい sounds like you are imposing your will. To a superior, it is better to use a polite request like 'Could you please teach me?'
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand てほしい, you first need to know how to conjugate verbs into the て-form. Additionally, since this pattern expresses a desire for an action, familiarity with the basic adjective ほしい (wanting an object) and the use of the particle に to mark the target of the request is necessary.
- て形Te-form
The pattern is constructed by attaching ほしい to the て-form of a verb.
Level 2 - ほしいWant (Object)
Understanding the basic adjective ほしい (to want something) is essential as this pattern extends that desire to an action performed by someone else.
Level 2 - にTarget/location Marker
The particle に is used to mark the person whom the speaker wants to perform the action.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- たいWant to Do
Used when the speaker themselves wants to perform an action, whereas ～てほしい is for others.
Level 2 - たがるWant to (Others)
Used to describe the desires of a third person, as ～てほしい is primarily for the speaker's own feelings.
Level 2 - てもらうHave Someone Do
A related concept of 'receiving an action' from someone; ～てもらいたい is a softer, more polite version of ～てほしい.
Level 2 - てくださいPlease Do
A standard request form. While ～てほしい expresses a feeling, ～てください is a direct instruction or request.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice てほしい in Bubblegum
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