てほしい means want someone to do. It is a JLPT N4 Japanese grammar pattern used to express this idea in natural Japanese.
This English meaning is written independently from the source list so it answers the learner question directly: what does てほしい mean and when should you use it?
What does てほしい mean?
Use てほしい when you want to express want someone to do in a Japanese sentence.
Natural translations include:
- want someone to do
- to express “want someone to do” naturally
- the closest natural English meaning in context
How to form てほしい
Verb て-form + ほしい
Examples of the pattern:
- Verb て-form + ほしい
- てほしい
- related form: てもらいたい
When is てほしい used?
Use てほしい in situations like:
- reading or writing JLPT N4-level sentences
- making a sentence more precise than a basic N5 pattern
- recognizing natural grammar in conversation or short passages
Tone and register:
- usually neutral unless the pattern itself is casual, humble, honorific, or written
- common in JLPT N4 grammar study and everyday examples
てほしい example sentences
- もっとゆっくり話してほしいです。 — I want you to speak more slowly.
- 明日来てほしいです。 — I want you to come tomorrow.
- この問題を説明してほしいです。 — I want you to explain this problem.
- 静かにしてほしいです。 — I want you to be quiet.
- 本当のことを言ってほしいです。 — I want you to tell the truth.
Nuance of てほしい
The key nuance is want someone to do in context, not a word-for-word English replacement.
This matters because てほしい often changes the relationship between actions, people, time, or evidence in the sentence. Read the whole sentence before choosing the English translation.
てほしい vs てもらいたい
Both patterns can appear in related sentences, but they do different jobs.
てほしい:
- is the target JLPT N4 pattern in this lesson
- focuses on want someone to do
てもらいたい:
- is useful for comparison because learners often confuse nearby forms
- may change the tone, evidence, direction, or relationship in the sentence
Quick contrast examples:
- Target pattern: もっとゆっくり話してほしいです。 — I want you to speak more slowly.
- Related pattern with てもらいたい: compare what changes in evidence, timing, direction, or politeness.
Common mistakes with てほしい
Watch out for these mistakes:
- Copying a dictionary gloss without checking the sentence context
- Using the wrong verb, adjective, or noun form
- Confusing てほしい with てもらいたい because the English can sound similar
Is てほしい on the JLPT?
Yes. てほしい is connected to JLPT N4 grammar in this blog.
That means learners should be able to:
- recognize it in reading
- understand its nuance in context
- use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for てほしい
Try making your own sentences with these prompts:
- Write one short sentence using the basic structure.
- Replace the subject, time, or object and keep the same grammar point.
- Compare your sentence with the related pattern above.
Learn てほしい with Kanjiru
If you want to review てほしい together with kanji, vocabulary, and other JLPT N4 patterns, Kanjiru helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here: