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
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
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.
Common mistakes with てほしい
Is てほしい on the JLPT?
Yes. てほしい is connected to JLPT N4 grammar.
- Recognize it in reading
- Understand its nuance in context
- Use it in simple original sentences
Practice questions for てほしい
Learning path for てほしい
Use てほしい as part of your JLPT N4 benefit, request, and emotion grammar with て-forms toolkit. Start with the て-form action, then identify who benefits, who feels grateful, or who receives the request. These patterns are easiest when you draw the direction of favor between speaker, listener, and another person.
Related grammar to review next
- てあげる — do something for someone.
- てくれる — someone does something for me.
- てもらう — have someone do for you.
- てやる — do for someone below you.
Learn てほしい with Hane
If you want to review てほしい together with the related patterns above, Hane helps you practice Japanese in short, focused sessions.
Browse more lessons here:
FAQ about てほしい
What does てほしい (te hoshii) mean in Japanese?
てほしい (te hoshii) means “want someone to do”. It is JLPT N4 grammar. Use てほしい when you want to express want someone to do in a Japanese sentence.
How do you form てほしい (te hoshii)?
Verb て-form + ほしい
What is an example sentence with てほしい (te hoshii)?
もっとゆっくり話してほしいです。 — I want you to speak more slowly.