タグ: auxiliary verb

Yesterday, we learned expressions of desire for possession. The expression uses the I-adjective “Hoshii” in the following construction;

1. Watashi wa [A] ga Hoshii desu.

This sentence is almost equivalent to the English one “I want [something]”. What we are going to learn today is like “I want [to do something]”. In the sentence “I want [to do something]”, “do” is a verb. And when you use this sentence in real situation, the original form of a verb is substituted to “do”. But in the case of Japanese, it is not so easy. You need to know the auxiliary verb “-tai” and how to change the form of a verb (conjugation) when a verb is placed in front of “-tai”.

Auxiliary verbs in Japanese are placed behind a verb. And auxiliary verbs change their forms. This “changing forms” of auxiliary verbs will be explained tomorrow. Anyway, “-tai” is one of them and has the function to add the meaning to a verb so as to express desire for action.

A verb must be in correct form when it is followed by an auxiliary verb. When you want to combine a verb and the auxiliary verb “-tai”, think of “masu form” first, and then take “masu” away from it.

[verb]+ tai => [Verb in Masu-form without Masu]+tai

Take a look at examples below. They are in order of “Verb in dictionary form”, “Verb in masu form” and “[Verb in masu form without Masu]+tai”

<look, watch, see> Miru, Mimasu, Mitai

<eat> Taberu, Tabemasu, Tabetai

<come to this side> Kuru, Kimasu, Kitai

<do> Suru, Shimasu, Shitai

<buy> Kau, Kaimasu, Kaitai

<go to somewhere> Iku, Ikimasu, Ikitai

<speak, talk> Hanasu, Hanashimasu, Hanashitai

<get back, go home> Kaeru, Kaerimasu, Kaeritai

Practice the three conversations below.

1. A : Satou-san wa Nani o Shitai desuka. (Sato-san, what do you want to do?)

  B : Watashi wa Sumaho o Kaitai desu. (I want to buy a smartphone.)

2. A : Suzuki-san wa Nani o Shitai desuka. (Suzuki-san, what do you want to do?)

  B : Watashi wa Tomodachi ni Aitai desu. (I want to see my friend.)

3. A : Takahashi-san wa Nani o Shitai desuka. (Takahashi-san, what do you want to do?)

  B : Watashi wa Amerika de Hatarakitai desu. (I want to work in U.S.)

This post was written with reference to the exercise A2 on Section 13 of “Minna no Nihongo” published by “3A Corporation”