0

I have a question regarding the difference between 欲しい and 要る.

So far, what I know both words mean "want". The first one is an adjective and the second one is a godan verb with -ru ending. Now, I confused about the sentence below.

こんなレプリカは いらない

does it has the similar meaning with?

こんなレプリカが欲しくない (I make this sentence by myself)

what is the difference in those sentence? Thank you.

1
  • It should not be(こんなレプリカ)が but(こんなレプリカ)は.
    – user4092
    Oct 31, 2017 at 20:14

2 Answers 2

8

The word 要る can be translated as "to want," but it's more about necessity. If you look at a Japanese dictionary, you are likely to see a definition as simple as 必要である.

欲しい is about desire, 要る has to do with necessity. Though, obviously sometimes the two concepts have some overlap.

1

@Leebo's answer is perfect as good Japanese goes. In informal conversation, however, you very often use 要る to mean 欲しい。

A: このゲーム機要る? もう使わないんだけど。(Do you want this game console? I don't use it any more.) B: 要る!!! (I do!!!!)

A's 要る can be replaced with 欲しい with very little change in connotation, but B's statement would sound somewhat weaker if she said 欲しい。That is, an affirmative 要る can express a stronger desire than 欲しい in informal use.

欲しい, on the other hand, isn't used to express necessity.

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .