Have you ever looked at your friend and thought, "I really need you to do something for me"? Maybe you’re waiting for a reply to a text, or you're wishing your roommate would finally wash those dishes!

Imagine you're at a karaoke box with a Japanese friend. You’ve been practicing a beautiful Japanese song, but you're still a little nervous about the high notes. You turn to your friend and think, "I really want you to sing this song with me!"

That’s where てほしい (te hoshii) comes in.

It’s a super useful N4 expression that translates to "I want (someone) to do..." or "I need you to...". It’s perfect for expressing your desires or requests regarding what other people should do.

Let’s dive into how to use this helpful phrase to share your wishes in Japanese!

たい (tai) vs てほしい (te hoshii)
Both express a "want," but the person doing the action is totally different! This is a very common mix-up for learners.

たい (tai)
たい is used when you (the speaker) want to do something. You are the one performing the action.

日本に行きたい。
にほん に いきたい。
nihon ni ikitai.
I want to go to Japan. (I am the one going!)

てほしい (te hoshii)
てほしい is used when you want someone else to do something. You are the one who has the desire, but the other person performs the action.

日本に来てほしい。
にほん に きて ほしい。
nihon ni kite hoshii.
I want (you/someone) to come to Japan. (Someone else is coming!)

💡Quick Tip:
You can say てほしいです to be more polite, but it is still very direct. It’s great for friends and family, but using it with your boss or teacher can sound a bit pushy. When asking a superior, it’s much better to use てください or ていただけませんか instead!

この漢字の読み方を教えてほしい。
この かんじ の よみかた を おしえて ほしい。
kono kanji no yomikata wo oshiete hoshii.
I want you to tell me how to read this kanji.

明日の朝、6時に起こしてほしい。
あした の あさ、ろくじ に おこして ほしい。
ashita no asa, rokuji ni okoshite hoshii.
I want you to wake me up at 6:00 tomorrow morning.

できる限り部屋を汚さないでほしいです。
できる かぎり へや を よごさないで ほしい です。
dekiru kagiri heya wo yogosanaide hoshii desu.
I want you to not make the room dirty as much as possible.

このことは誰にも言わないでほしい。
この こと は だれ に も いわないで ほしい。
kono koto ha dare ni mo iwanaide hoshii.
I want you to not tell anyone about this.

親に、私の気持ちをわかってほしい。
おや に、わたし の きもち を わかって ほしい。
oya ni, watashi no kimochi wo wakatte hoshii.
I want my parents to understand my feelings.

日本語や日本の文化について、もっと知ってほしいです。
にほんご や にほん の ぶんか について、もっと しって ほしい です。
nihongo ya nihon no bunka ni tsuite, motto shitte hoshii desu.
I want (you/people) to know more about the Japanese language and culture.

• Grammar Point: てほしい (te hoshii)
  
• JLPT Level: N4
• Meaning: Want (someone) to do, need (someone) to do
  
• Quick Explanation: This expression is used when the speaker wants someone else to perform an action.
  
  
  

So that’s how we use 〜てほしい!
It’s a wonderful way to let people know what’s on your mind and what you're hoping for.

私と一緒に勉強をして、日本語をもっと好きになってほしいです！
わたし と いっしょ に べんきょう を して、にほんご を もっと すき に なって ほしい です！
watashi to issho ni benkyou wo shite, nihongo wo motto suki ni natte hoshii desu!
I want you to study with me and come to like Japanese even more!

Now it’s your turn! Try making your own sentences with てほしい and see how much more you can express!

Your Sensei,
Hikari 👩🏻‍🏫

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