Translation guide
The English word 'wish' covers desires, hopes, regrets, and polite requests. Japanese uses different expressions depending on whether the wish is a general hope, a concrete desire, a regret about the past, or a wish for someone else's well-being.
Expressing a personal desire for an object, action, or state, often in a straightforward or emotional way.
An i-adjective meaning 'want' or 'desire'. Used for objects or for someone to do something (with te-form). Very common and direct.
Attach to the masu-stem of a verb to express 'want to do'. Very common for personal desires.
I want to go to Japan.
Literally '~ is good', used to express a preference or wish for something specific. Softer than 欲しい.
I'd like coffee.
Expressing a wish or hope that something will happen, often with uncertainty or a positive desire.
Attach to plain form of verb/adjective. Expresses hope that something will happen. Often used with ね for shared feeling.
Expressing good wishes for someone's health, happiness, or success, often in formal or set expressions.
Expressing a wish that a past situation had been different, often with a sense of regret.
Attach to conditional form of verb. Means 'I wish I had done ~' or 'I should have done ~'.
Expressing a wish in a polite, formal, or customer-service context, often as a request.
Polite way to express a desire, often used to make a request. Literally 'I would like to do ~, but...' (implying 'could you help?').
Expressing a wish in a magical or ritualistic sense, like wishing on a star or making a birthday wish.
Literally 'to do a wish thing', meaning to make a wish (e.g., on a star, at a shrine).
English 'I wish' often translates to 〜といい or 〜ばいい, not a single word. Using 願う directly can sound overly formal or dramatic in casual speech.
欲しい is for wanting objects or wanting someone to do something. 〜たい is for wanting to do something yourself. Do not use 欲しい with your own actions.
I want him to come.
もっと勉強したい。
I want to study more.
I hope it's sunny tomorrow.
I hope I pass the exam.
Verb meaning 'to wish' or 'to hope', often used in formal or heartfelt contexts. Can be used with 〜ように.
I wish for peace.
I wish you success.
Used with verbs like 祈る (to pray) or 願う to express a wish. Often in set phrases.
I wish you happiness.
Standard congratulatory expression. Used for birthdays, achievements, etc.
Happy birthday! (lit. Congratulations on your birthday)
Said to someone who is sick or injured, meaning 'Take care' or 'I hope you get well soon'.
I hope you feel better soon.
Formal expression meaning 'I wish you happiness/good fortune'. Used in letters or speeches.
I wish you all the best in the future.
I wish I had studied more.
I wish I hadn't told him.
Similar to 〜ばよかった, using the -tara conditional. Slightly more colloquial.
I wish I had woken up earlier.
I'd like to buy this book.
Very polite way to request something, literally 'Could I receive ~?'. Common in service situations.
Could I have some water?
I made a wish upon a star.
To make a wish, often at a temple or shrine. Implies a more formal or spiritual act.
I made a wish at the shrine.