Sometimes You Want Something

If you want something, the verb for it in Japanese is hoshii 欲しい。 This also works when talking about other people's needs.

Here is your conjugation reference:

I want: hoshii 欲しい
I don't want: hoshikunai　欲しくない
I wanted: hoshikatta　欲しかった
I didn't want: hoshikunakatta　欲しくなかった
If I wanted (and it happened): hoshikereba　欲しければ
If I didn't want (and it happened): hoshikunakereba　欲しくなければ
If I want: hoshikattara (just a wish):　欲しかったら
If I didn't want (just a wish): hoshikunakattara　欲しくなかったら

An important thing to remember is the particle used in the sentence. For positive sentences, you would always put が after the thing you want. In almost every sentence that is positive, when you're talking about you or another person, you use the particle が even in casual speech.

I want that
私はそれが欲しい
watashi wa sore ga hoshii

I wanted that
俺はそれが欲しかった
ore wa sore ga hoshikatta

If he wanted it (and it's true), I think it's good.
彼はそれが欲しければ 良いと思う
kare wa sore ga hoshikereba, ii to omou


The ga turns into a waは if the sentence is a negative. There are a few exceptions but for most of the time, you would use wa when it comes to not wanting something.　I'm still not too familar with the particles because I don't use them often.

I don't really want money (no desire for money)
僕はお金はあまり欲しくない
boku wa okane wa amari hoshikunai

If she didn't want kids (i'm not sure), I think it's fine too.
彼女は子供は欲しくなかったら、　私も大丈夫と思う
kanojyo wa kodomo wa hoshikunakattara, watashi mo daijyoubu to omou.


Another way of using hoshii is for when you want someone to do something. You would use the -て　form of a verb before hoshii. I'm guessing that you use the niに particle after the person or thing you want because they are being directed, by you, the action. It could be "I'm telling you to do this". The action is being sent to someone as a task to do.

I wanted her to win
彼女に勝って欲しかった
kanojyo ni katte hoshikatta

I want you to buy it
私はあなたに買ってほしい
watashi wa anata ni kaitte hoshii