In Japanese, this is a verb ending which modifies the verb to indicate a desired rather than an actual action.
The -tai form is created by replacing the -masu of the normal form with -tai. The verb is then treated more or less like an adjective.
Example 1:
Asoko ni imasu.
I am going over there.
Asoko ni itai desu.
I want to go over there.
Example 2:
Tori o tabemasen.
I do not eat chicken.
Tori o tabetaku arimasen.
I do not want to eat chicken.
As with adjectives,
- -taku is the negative form
- -takatta is the past tense form
- -taku nakatta is the negative past tense form