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 — clarifies the direction of favor, request, gratitude, or benefit.
- てくれる — clarifies the direction of favor, request, gratitude, or benefit.
- てもらう — clarifies the direction of favor, request, gratitude, or benefit.
- てやる — clarifies the direction of favor, request, gratitude, or benefit.
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.
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FAQ about てほしい
What does てほしい mean in Japanese?
てほしい means “want someone to do” in Japanese. It is an N4 grammar point, and this lesson explains its formation, nuance, example sentences, common mistakes, and similar grammar.
Is てほしい on the JLPT?
てほしい is taught as N4 Japanese grammar in Hane's grammar lesson archive. Review it with examples, usage notes, and related N4 patterns.
How should I practice てほしい?
Read several example sentences, identify the form before and after てほしい, then make your own short sentences and compare it with nearby grammar points.