to want something
to be in need of
Structure
- Noun + が + ほしい
Do not confuse:
ほしくなかった [past negative]
with
ほしくなった → ほしい+なる
So the “wa”-particle is never correct with this one? Even when it’s in a negative sentence?
I don’t think there’s a special rule for は here that would prevent you from using it. If that’s what you want to say, it can indicate contrast, or a minimum amount, or just make the wanted thing the topic, etc.
Even though this is a straightforward word, its usages can be a little confusing. Consider this:
（(A)は）(B)が欲しい
(A) wants (B)
（(A)が）欲しいもの
（(A)が）欲しいリンゴ
The thing (apple) that (A) wants
So already what’s in front of が欲しい could be either the wanted or the wanter, depending if 欲しい is standalone or modifies a noun.
Now let’s compare these two:
欲しいものがあればあげても構わない。
欲しい人がいればあげても構わない。
The structure is the same, so the meaning should be the same as well right?
translations
If there’s anything you want, I don’t mind giving it to you.
If there’s anyone who wants this, I don’t mind giving it to them.
Actual translations provided are the opposite in terms of who wants what.
My first intuition for the second sentence would be to follow the same structure as 欲しいもの. For example a manager is offering to transfer over anyone the listener wants to have.
Interesting, right?