JLPT N4 grammar

〜て欲しいmeaning and usage

Meaning

  1. I want (person, thing) A to B (action)
  2. Want A to not B
  3. Would love for A to (not) happen

This point is also listed at N3 · N2.

How to form it

  • personにverb (te-form)ほしい
  • verb (nai-form)でほしい
  • nounがverb (te-form)ほしい

How it is used

Wanting someone else to do (or not do) something, or wanting something to happen. For your own actions, use 「〜たい」. To a superior it sounds blunt; 「〜ていただきたい」 is safer.

Examples

  1. この書類を今すぐ彼女に届けて欲しい。

    I want you to take this paper to her right away.

  2. 母には、もう少しゆっくり休んでほしいです。

    I wish my mother would rest a little more.

  3. 明日は旅行だから、雨が降らないでほしい。

    We're going on a trip tomorrow, so I hope it doesn't rain.