Volume 2 · Chapter 07
Want, Need, Can
ほしい, たい, 必要, できます for practical requests.
This chapter helps you express need and ability without guessing grammar names.
Want a thing: ほしい
Use ほしいです with a noun subject.
- I want water.
- I want a quiet place.
- I want a receipt.
Want to do: たい
Use たいです from verb stem to show desire to perform action.
- I want to go to Tokyo.
- I want to change the reservation.
- I want to study Japanese.
- I want to hear again.
Need: 必要
必要 is often used for documents or steps.
- A reservation is necessary.
- Identification is necessary.
- A translator is necessary.
- Medicine is needed.
Can: できます
Use this for ability or permission-like practical feasibility.
- I can use a little Japanese.
- Is it possible today?
- Can I pay by card?
- Reservation is possible.
When to pick which
- Use for a noun.
- Use for action desire.
- Use for requirement.
- Use for possibility.
Survival dialogues
Randomized practice
Want Need Can Practice
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Meaning
水がほしいです。
I want water.
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Meaning
東京に行きたいです。
I want to go to Tokyo.
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Meaning
予約が必要です。
A reservation is necessary.
-
Meaning
身分証明書が必要です。
An ID document is necessary.
-
Meaning
日本語が少しできます。
I can speak a little Japanese.
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Meaning
カードで払えますか。
Can I pay by card?
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Say it
Say you want to change reservation.
予約を変更したいです。
-
Say it
Say you want a receipt.
領収書がほしいです。
-
Say it
Say does this need ID?
身分証明書が必要ですか。
-
Say it
Say is it possible today?
今日はできますか。
-
Read it
Read もう一度聞きたいです。
I want to hear again.
-
Say it
Say I can use Japanese a little.
日本語が少しできます。
-
Say it
Say card payment is possible.
カードで払えますか。
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Read it
Read 予約が必要です。
Reservation is necessary.
-
Read it
Read 通訳が必要です。
A translator is necessary.
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Say it
Say I want to study Japanese.
日本語を勉強したいです。
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Trap
私は水がしたいです。
Use 水を飲みたいです for wanting to drink water.
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Trap
水をほしいです。
Use が with ほしい: 水がほしいです。