Meaning and Usage
欲しい (ほしい) is an adjective used to express desire or need for something. It is commonly used to say you want an object or something tangible.
Common Contexts
You often use 欲しい when talking about things you want to have, such as goods, time, or abstract needs. It is polite to add です or と思います to soften the statement.
Collocations and Patterns
- ～が欲しい: to want something (e.g., 新しい車が欲しい)
- ～が欲しいと思う: to think you want something (expressing a softer desire)
- 欲しいと言う: to say you want something
Nuances and Tips
欲しい is used only for things you want to obtain, not for actions. For wanting to do something, use verbs like したい. Also, 欲しい is an i-adjective, so it conjugates accordingly (欲しくない, 欲しかった).
Common Mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 欲しい with ほしい meaning "hope" or "wish" in other contexts, but 欲しい specifically expresses desire for tangible things or needs.