説明
Use "would like" when you want to sound polite. It is softer than "want."
For example, "I would like a coffee, please." Here, "I" is the speaker, "would like" shows a polite wish, and "a coffee" is the thing you want. If you want to say an action, add "to" and a verb: "I would like to leave now." In questions, use "Would you like... ?" to offer something gently. Japanese often says "〜がほしいです" or asks directly, but English often uses "would like" to sound more careful.
「would like」は、丁寧に言いたいときに使います。「want」よりやわらかい表現です。
たとえば、"I would like a coffee, please." では、"I" が話し手、"would like" が丁寧な希望、"a coffee" がほしいものです。動作を言うときは、"to" のあとに動詞を置きます。たとえば、"I would like to leave now." です。相手にたずねるときは、"Would you like... ?" を使うとやさしい言い方になります。日本語では「〜がほしいです」や直接的な依頼で言えますが、英語では "would like" を使うとより丁寧に聞こえます。
例文
- I'd like a coffee, please. コーヒーをお願いします。
- Would you like some tea? お茶はいかがですか。
- I would like to reserve a table for two for 7pm. 午後7時に2名分のテーブルを予約したいのですが。
- We'd like to sit by the window. 窓側に座りたいです。
- I would like to make an appointment to see Dr. Jones as soon as possible. ジョーンズ医師の診察をできるだけ早く予約したいです。
- She said she would like a glass of white wine. 彼女は白ワインを一杯欲しいと言った。
よくある間違い
Japanese learners often say "I want a coffee, please" in polite situations. That can sound too direct. Use "I'd like a coffee, please." Also, if you use "would like" before a verb, do not forget "to": "I would like go home" -> "I would like to go home."
日本語話者は、丁寧な場面でも "I want a coffee, please" と言ってしまいがちです。少し強く聞こえるので、"I'd like a coffee, please." のほうが自然です。また、"would like" のあとに動詞を置くときは "to" を忘れやすいです。"I would like go home" は誤りで、正しくは "I would like to go home." です。