to want to ~ (third person)

Beginner

15-20 min

common

Expert Reviewed

Explanation

Expresses someone else's desire to do something (observable).

[Verb ます-stem] + たがる

子供が外で遊びたがっている。

Kodomo ga soto de asobitagatte iru.

The child wants to play outside.

彼女は日本に行きたがっています。

Kanojo wa Nihon ni ikitagatte imasu.

She wants to go to Japan.

Cannot be used for first person (use ～たい instead).

～てもいいです

may do ~, it's okay to do ~

～てはいけません

must not do ~, not allowed to do ~

～なければなりません

must do ~, have to do ~

～なくてもいいです

don't have to do ~, don't need to do ~

Use only for third person desires.

JLPTBooks Editorial Team

Japanese Language Education Specialists

Last updated: Jan 2

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