In Japanese, how do you express things like...
In Japanese, how do you express things like

"(I) have to (do something)"
"(I) want to (do something)"
"(I) need to (do something)"

For example, in a sentence like, "I have to go to work now" or "I have to use the bathroom" or something like "I need to get my homework done"?

"want to" would be the verb stem + たい, right? Like in 眠りたい?

I don't quite know how to imply a want or need to do something, though...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Question

In Japanese, how do you express things like...
In Japanese, how do you express things like

"(I) have to (do something)"
"(I) want to (do something)"
"(I) need to (do something)"

For example, in a sentence like, "I have to go to work now" or "I have to use the bathroom" or something like "I need to get my homework done"?

"want to" would be the verb stem + たい, right? Like in 眠りたい?

I don't quite know how to imply a want or need to do something, though...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer

All the phrases you wrote are used when you imply a want or need to do something.

"(I) have to (do something)"    = obligation　=~しなければならない
"(I) want to (do something)"    = hope  =  ~ したい
"(I) need to (do something)"    = obligation 　= ~する必要（ひつよう=need as a noun ）がある

so , ~ したい is used to convey your hope and not strong meaning to do your hope. and if you use ～しなければならない　or ~ する必要がある　, these phrases definitely convey your obligation. so it's a bit strong meaning . so , audience who heard these phrase should respect you for your obligation.

Answers · 1

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