These are common expressions to express wants and needs in Japanese:
| Japanese | Romaji | Format | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ほしい | hoshii | [noun] + が + ほしい | to want (a thing) |
| ～たい | -tai | [verb stem] + たい | to want to do |
| ひつよう | hitsuyou desu | [noun] + ひつよう | necessity (personal or general) |
| ひつよう | hitsuyou ga aru | [verb] + が + ひつよう | necessity (personal or general) |
- 欲しい is an i-adjective
- ～たい attaches to the verb stem and behaves like an i-adjective.
- ひつよう is a na-adjective, often used with が to mark the needed item.
- These are usually used in the first person. Using them about others often requires more polite or indirect expressions.
水がほしい。
Mizu ga hoshii.
I want water.
ラーメンを食べたい。
Rāmen o tabetai.
I want to eat ramen.
パスポートが必要。
Pasupōto ga hitsuyō.
I need a passport.
These expressions are used to describe what someone thinks or feels, including preferences and abilities.
| Japanese | Romaji | Format | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～と思います | to omoimasu | [plain form] + と思います | to think |
- 思います is often used with the plain form of verbs or adjectives.
- 好き, 嫌い, 上手, and 下手 are na-adjectives, not verbs!
- Use が to mark the thing you like/dislike or are good/bad at.
- Be careful with 上手 and 下手—they imply a social judgment. Use them cautiously about others to avoid sounding rude.
彼は来ると思います。
Kare wa kuru to omoimasu.
I think he will come.
音楽が好き。
Ongaku ga suki.
I like music.
勉強が嫌い。
Benkyō ga kirai.
I hate studying.
ピアノが上手。
Piano ga jōzu.
Good at piano.
歌が下手。
Uta ga heta.
Bad at singing.
These constructions express planning, trying something out, suggesting actions, or indicating probability.
| Japanese | Romaji | Format | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～つもりです | tsumori desu | [plain form] + つもりです | to plan to do / will do |
| ～てみる | te miru | [te-form] + みる | to try doing |
| ～ましょう | mashou | [verb stem] + ましょう | let’s do / shall we (polite) |
| ～でしょう | deshou | [plain form] + でしょう | probably will / I suppose (polite) |
- つもりです implies a decided plan or intention.
- てみる means you’re trying something out to see how it goes.
- ましょう is a polite and inclusive way to suggest something (let’s do it!).
- でしょう expresses probability or conjecture—like saying probably or I think it might… or right?... (when used with a questioning tone)
日本へ行くつもりです。
Nihon e iku tsumori desu.
I plan to go to Japan.
食べてみる。
Tabe te miru.
I'll try eating it.
行きましょう。
Iki mashou.
Let’s go.
雨が降るでしょう。
Ame ga furu deshou.
It will probably rain.
These two constructions express the ability or possibility to do something.
| Japanese | Romaji | Format | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～ことができる | koto ga dekiru | [dictionary form] + ことができる | can do |
| ～れる／～られる | -reru / -rareru | verb in potential form | can [verb] |
- ことができる is more formal and works with all verbs. It turns the action into a noun phrase (literally “the doing of [verb] is possible”).
- The potential form is more casual and natural in everyday speech.
泳ぐことができる。
Oyogu koto ga dekiru.
I can swim.
寿司が食べられる。
Sushi ga taberareru.
I can eat sushi.
These expressions are essential for expressing rules, permissions, and necessities.
| Japanese | Romaji | Format | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| ～なければならない／～なきゃ | nakereba naranai / nakya | [nai-stem] + なければならない | must / have to |
| ～てはいけない | te wa ikenai | [te-form] + はいけない | must not |
| ～てもいい | te mo ii | [te-form] + もいい | it's okay to... / can |
| ～なくてもいい | nakute mo ii | [nai-stem] + くてもいい | don’t have to |
- なければならない is formal and means “must.” The casual contraction is ～なきゃ. It can also be thought as "nai" form minus "i" + kereba nakanai.
- てはいけない literally means “you must not do [X]” — a strict prohibition.
- てもいい is used to ask for or give permission, meaning “it’s okay if…” or “can I…?”
行かなければならない。
Ika nakereba naranai.
I must go.
入ってはいけない。
Haitte wa ikenai.
You must not enter.
食べてもいい？
Tabe te mo ii?
Can I eat it?