Lesson 9
✅ てもらいたい / ていただきたい / てほしい
These are used to express a desire for someone to do something for you or someone close to you.
Pattern Politeness Meaning Example
母に料理を作ってもらいたい。
てもらいたい Casual–polite I want someone to do (for me)
→ I want my mom to cook for me.
課長に説明していただきたいです。
ていただきたい Polite I would like someone to do (for me)
→ I'd like the manager to explain.
I want someone to do (direct, あなたに手伝ってほしい。
てほしい Casual
emotional) → I want you to help me.
💡 てもらう and ていただく literally mean "to receive the favor of someone doing something."
てほしい focuses more on your personal desire.
✅ (さ)せてもらいたい / (さ)せていただきたい / (さ)せてほしい
These are expressing your wish to be allowed to do something (requesting permission or approval to do
something yourself).
Pattern Politeness Meaning Example
Casual– 自分で説明させてもらいたい。
させてもらいたい I want to be allowed to do
polite → I want to explain it myself.
一言ご挨拶させていただきたいです。
I would like to humbly be allowed
させていただきたい Polite → I’d like to say a few words
to do
(politely).
行かせてほしい。
させてほしい Casual I want (someone) to let me do
→ I want you to let me go.
💡 Very common in formal speech: させていただきたい → shows humility.
Often used in business emails or speeches.
✅ ～といい / ～ばいい / ～たらいい
These express wishes, hopes, or suggestions. Similar meanings but slightly different tones.
Pattern Use Meaning Example
明日晴れるといいですね。
～といい Hope/wish (for someone) It’d be nice if... / I hope...
→ I hope it’s sunny tomorrow.
薬を飲めばいいよ。
～ばいい Suggestion/advice You should / It’d be good if...
→ You should take medicine.
医者に行ったらいいよ。
～たらいい Suggestion/advice You should / It’d be good if...
→ You should go see a doctor.
といい is often used for hopes/wishes.
ばいい / たらいい are more like giving advice or suggestions.
🧠 Summary Cheat Sheet
Pattern Use
てもらいたい / ていただきたい / てほしい Want someone to do something
(さ)せてもらいたい / (さ)せていただきたい / (さ)せてほしい Want to be allowed to do something
～といい I hope (wish)
～ばいい / ～たらいい It’d be good if... / You should...
Lesson 10
めいれい (命令) — "しろ" / "こい" (Command Form)
This is the imperative form — used to give direct commands.
Verb Type Imperative Form Example
勉強しろ！
する しろ
→ Study!
早くこい！
来る こい
→ Come quickly!
名前を書け！
書く (う-verb) 書け
→ Write your name!
ちゃんと食べろ！
食べる (る-verb) 食べろ
→ Eat properly!
💥 Very direct — use with caution!
Used by people in power (boss, parent, etc.), or in emergencies.
Not polite. Better avoided in everyday polite conversation.
✅ きんし (禁止) — "～な" (Prohibition)
This is the prohibitive form of a verb — telling someone not to do something.
Pattern Example
ここでタバコを吸うな！
Verb (dictionary form) + な
→ Don’t smoke here!
触るな！
Verb + な
→ Don’t touch!
🚫 Direct and strong tone.
Often used in signs, warnings, or by someone giving stern orders.
✅ ～こと (Rules, Instructions, or Must-do/Not-do things)
Used in instructions to express rules or things that must (or must not) be done.
Pattern Meaning Example
宿題を出すこと。
→ You must submit your homework.
Verb + こと Must / Must not
教室で携帯を使わないこと。
→ Don’t use your phone in class.
Often seen in written rules, notices, manuals, etc.
Neutral/polite compared to 命令形.
✅ ～べきだ / ～べき / ～べきではない
These express a sense of moral obligation or strong advice (should / should not).
Pattern Use Example
約束は守るべきだ。
Verb (dictionary form) + べきだ You should (moral sense)
→ You should keep promises.
うそをつくべきではない。
～べきではない You should not
→ You shouldn’t lie.
勉強するべきことが多い。
～べき Used in writing or casual reduction
→ There are many things I should study.
✨ Has a bit of moral/judgment nuance.
Avoid using when talking about others’ actions unless close.
✅ ～たらどうか / ～たらどうですか — Suggestion ("How about...?")
This one is softer advice or suggestion.
Pattern Use Example
もっと寝たらどう？
Verb (た-form) + らどうか How about doing...?
→ How about sleeping more?
薬を飲んだらどうですか？
～たらどうですか Slightly more polite version
→ Why don’t you take some medicine?
💬 Very useful in conversation.
Less direct than ～べきだ or ～ばいい.
🧠 Quick Reference Chart
Pattern Function Politeness Example
しろ / こい Command Very direct 宿題をしろ！
～な Prohibition Very direct 立ち入り禁止！入るな！
～こと Rule / Must-do Neutral/polite 必ずパスワードを入力すること。
～べきだ Moral obligation Formal 親に感謝するべきだ。
～べきではない Moral "should not" Formal 他人をバカにするべきではない。
～たらどうか Suggestion Soft/casual 一回行ってみたらどう？
