A word for "to want"?

[Cherie061403]

How would you ask someone if they want something? Or to say that you want something? Is there a word for to want?

Thanks in advance! ^_^

[skrhgh3b]

short answer: there are different words/grammar for different situations that all translate back to "want" in english. there's a pretty good article ( "desire and suggestions" ) at http://www.guidetojapanese.org. i would recommend bookmarking that site too, by the way, because it's an excellent guide to essential grammar.

[Mukade]

Very basically, however:

If you want an object, you would say-

OBJECT + ga + hosii desu.

飲み物が欲しいです。
nomimono ga hoshii desu.
I want a drink.


If you want to do something -

VERB -MASU STEM + tai desu.

飲みたいです。
nomitai desu.
I want to drink.

[Cherie061403]

Thank you very much! ^_^ That helps!