How to Say ‘What do you want to do?’ in Japanese
何がしたいですか。
nani ga shi tai desu ka
[nani ga shee tie dess ka]
💬 Usage Tip: With the "want to" ending たい, the thing you want can be marked with が instead of を: 水が飲みたい "I want to drink water".
Phrase Breakdown
何
nani
[nani]
What
An interrogative used to ask about information.
何かしらがテーブルにあった。
There was something on the table.
が
ga
[ga]
subject marker
A particle marking the subject of the sentence.
興味がある分野を教えてください。
Please tell me the field you are interested in.
し
shi
[shee]
do (stem)
Verb stem used as part of the fixed polite request phrase.
注文をお願いし、ます。
I would like to place the order, please.
たい
tai
[tie]
want to do
Attached to a verb stem to express desire to do something.
ゆっくり食事をしたいです。
I want to enjoy a meal slowly.
です
desu
[dess]
is; polite copula
A polite sentence ending used in formal conversation.
少し伺いたいです。
I would like to ask a little.
か
ka
[ka]
question particle
Used at the end of sentences to make a question.
これは何ですか？
What is this?
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