〜たいと思う -- What does this mean?


I'm experiencing a little confusion with the verb form meaning "to want", and
am a little confused as to how to say "would like to" instead. In Japanese,
are the two meanings combined into the ending 〜たい? I've had language partners
before say, for example, 「東京に行きたいと思う」and this was translated to, "I would like
to go to Tokyo" by our messenger's in-app translator. Is this also acceptable
to say?




> ～たいと思う  
>  I'm experiencing a little confusion with the verb form meaning "to want",
> and am a little confused as to how to say "would like to" instead.
>
> In Japanese, are the two meanings combined into the ending 〜たい?
>
> I've had language partners before say, for example, 「東京に行きたいと思う」and this was
> translated to, "I would like to go to Tokyo" by our messenger's in-app
> translator. Is this also acceptable to say?

In Japanese, ～たい alone is too bare and sounds too abrupt or too decisive. It
can be a good style for such as an enthusiastic speech.

～たいと思う is the little more attenuated version of the same thing.

The most normal way to say the same thing **_to talk to someone_** is
～たいと思います.

Your app translation of 東京に行きたいと思う is acceptable when you are talking to your
close friend or family. Otherwise, you should say
東京に行きたいと思います／思っています／行きたいのですが… etc.

