Grammar ～てほしい／もらいたい

～てほしい／もらいたい

Want/ask someone to do...

Structure

Vて（Vないで）＋ほしい／もらいたい

Explanation

Expresses a desire, request, or asking someone to do something for the speaker; tone can be gentle or clearly demanding depending on context.

Examples

1親（おや）には長生（ながい）きしてもらいたい。

I want my parents to live a long life.

2子（こ）どもには、皆（みな）に愛（あい）される人間（にんげん）になってほしいと思（おも）う。

I want my children to grow up to be people who are loved by everyone.

3「みんなに食（た）べてもらいたいと思（おも）って、きょうはケーキを焼（や）いて来（き）ました」

I baked a cake today because I wanted everyone to try it.

4「これはここだけの秘密（ひみつ）だから、だれにも言（い）わないでほしい」

This is a secret just between us, so please don't tell anyone.

5「すみません、ちょっと見（み）てもらいたいものがあるんですけど」

Excuse me, there's something I'd like you to take a look at.

Note

1) Easily confused with ～たい. → ～てほしい／もらいたい means wanting someone else to do something for you, not wanting to do it yourself.2) Note the target of desire. → The speaker wants “someone” to do (or not do) something.3) The nuance can be a request or a favor. → In exams, to be politer use a milder form depending on context.