“Want You To Do”
In this practice I want you to start by thinking inside that brain of yours (or outside, if that’s your thing).
You have a dog named Whimpy. He’s not a strong dog, but you like him anyways. He warms you when you can’t find the blankets.
He has his wants, and you have your wants. What do you want? What do you want him to do? What does he want? What does he want you to do? There are so many questions circling around this dog of yours.
For now, I just want you to tell me which grammar point you’d use. You don’t even have to say the sentence yet. I just want you to tell me if the sentence should use たい form or てほしい.
Your little dog friend wants to eat.
〜たい
You don’t want your dog to eat.
〜てほしくない
You want to eat your dog.
〜たい
The dog wants to eat you.
〜たい
The dog wants you to hurry up and feed it already!!
〜てほしい
Did you get those all correct? Were you able to recall the difference between てほしい and たい? I hope so, because you’ll need it right about now.
What You Want The Dog To Do
So, it turns out you’re the type of person who eats dog. Nothing wrong with that. I’m not here to judge you… unless it’s about your Japanese. Speaking of which, can you translate the following sentences into Japanese?
I want to eat the food!
a 食べ物を食べたいです！
I want to eat the dog!
a 犬を食べたいです。
I want Jerry to eat the food
a ジェリーにごはんを食べて欲しいです。
I don’t want the dog to eat
a 犬にごはんを食べてほしくないです。
I want you to go to Seattle.
a シアトル市に行ってほしいです。
I want to go to Seattle
a シアトル市に行きたいです。
Thinking Of Other Things You Want Done
Can you go around the house talking about things you want done? I want the laundry done! I want the television on! I want dinner being made! You are the great king. Never forget that. When you were born the kanji gods looked down upon you choosing you to lead them. Sure, you’re still a child, but one day all will waiver at your omnipotent feet. Go out and tell the world what you want done, then move on to the next chapter.