Verb て-form + ほしい

[Want Someone to Do Something]

Connection: Verb て-form + ほしい

This pattern expresses that the speaker wants someone else to do something. The person who should perform the action is marked with に.

Formation:

• Verb て-form + ほしい
• Person who should act + に

Usage notes: This expresses the speaker's desire for someone else's action. It's more direct than requests with ていただけませんか, so use it carefully to avoid sounding demanding, especially toward superiors.

Negative form: To express wanting someone NOT to do something, use ないで + ほしい:

• 来ないでほしい (I want you not to come)
• 話さないでほしい (I want you not to talk)

Comparison with たい:

• たい = want to do (myself): 食べたい (I want to eat)
• てほしい = want someone else to do: 食べてほしい (I want [you/him/her] to eat)

Politeness: For polite requests, consider using ていただきたい (I would like you to do) or てほしいんですが (I want you to do, but...)

Examples:

• 彼に早く来てほしい。(I want him to come early.)
• みんなに静かにしてほしいです。(I want everyone to be quiet.)
• 誰にも知られたくないし、言わないでほしい。(I don't want anyone to know, and I want you not to tell anyone.)