JLPT N5 “Want to” – The Tai Form

To say “want to do” in Japanese, use the tai-form:Verb (masu-stem) + tai

How to Make the Tai Form

• ～ます。 ...masu.
• ～たいです。 ...tai desu. (Present positive)
• ～たくないです。 ...takunai desu. (Present negative)
• ～たかったです。 ...takatta desu. (Past positive)
• ～たくなかったです。 ...takunakatta desu. (Past negative)

 

Examples: Want to Go / Want to Eat

ikimasu → ikitai (want to go)

tabemasu → tabetai (want to eat)

Negative: Don’t Want to

ikimasu → ikitakunai (don't want to go)

tabemasu → tabetakunai (don't want to eat)

Examples:

にほんに いきます。 Nihoni ni ikimasu. = Lit. (I) go to Japan.

にほんに いきたいです。 Nihoni ni ikitai desu. = Lit. (I) want to go to Japan.

がっこうに いきます。 Gkkou ni ikimasu. =Lit. (I) go to school.

がっこうに いきたくないです。 Gakkou ni ikitakunai desu. =Lit. (I) don't want to go to school.

Conversation Practice:

• A: こどもの　とき、なにに　なりたかったですか。Kodomo no toki, nani ni naritakatta desu ka. = Lit. When you are a child, what did you want to become?
  B: スパイダーマンに　なりたかったです。Supaidaaman ni naritakatta desu. = Lit.(I) wanted to be the Spiderman.
  
  
• A: こんしゅうまつは　なにを　したいですか。Konshuumatsu wa nani o shitai desu ka. = Lit. What would you like to do this weekend?
  B: かいものに　いきたいです。Kaimono ni ikitai desu. = Lit. (I) want to go shopping.
  
  
• A: にちようびは　なにを　したいですか。Nichiyoubi wa nani o shitai desu ka. = Lit. As for Sunday, what would you like to do?
  B: なにも　したくないです。うちで　のんびりしたいです。Nanimo shitakunai desu. Uchi de nombiri shitai desu. (“n” becomes "m" in front of P, B, M.) = Lit. (I) don't to do anything. (I) want to relax at home.
  
  
• A: つぎの　なつやすみは　どこに　いきたいですか。Tsugi no natsuyasumi wa doko ni ikitai desu ka. = Lit. As for next summer holidays, where would you like to go?
  B: ハワイに　いきたいです。Hawai ni ikitai desu. = Lit. (I) want to go to Hawaii.
  
  
• A: きょうの　ランチは　なにを　たべたいですか。Kyou no ranchi wa nani o tabetai desu ka. = Lit. As for today's lunch, what would you like to eat?
  B: ラーメンを　たべたいです。 Raamen o tabetai desu. = Lit. (I) want to eat ramen (noodle).
  
  
• A: きょうの　ばんごはんは　なにを　たべたいですか。Kyou no bamgohan wa nani o tabetai desu ka. = Lit. As for today's dinner, what would you like to eat?
  B: おすしを　たべたいです。 Osushi o tabetai desu. = Lit. (I) want to eat sushi.

Updated Dec. 2025