6.5: Wanting to do something with "yao"

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The auxiliary verb 要 (yào) has several different meanings, and here we'll tackle the "want to" meaning. To express "wanting to do" something, use 要 (yào) before the verb.

Structure

The verb 要 (yào) can be used as an auxiliary verb to indicate wanting to do something.

Subj. + 要 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

他要学中文。Tā yào xué Zhōngwén.He wants to study Chinese.
宝宝要睡觉。Bǎobao yào shuìjiào.The baby wants to sleep.
早饭我要吃肉。Zǎofàn wǒ yào chī ròu.For breakfast I want to eat meat.
今天很累，我要休息。Jīntiān hěn lèi, wǒ yào xiūxi.Today I'm very tired. I want to rest.
这个周末你们要做什么？Zhège zhōumò nǐmen yào zuò shénme?This weekend what do you want to do?

要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng)

Instead of using 要 (yào), it is also possible to use the word 想 (xiǎng). These two words are largely interchangeable, and both can mean "to want." The small difference is that 要 (yào) is often used for something you want to or need to do, and plan to take action on. It can sound a bit more demanding (and less polite). 想 (xiǎng) on the other hand, often conveys an idea on one's mind, that one may or may not take action on. You can think of it as meaning "would like to."

Examples

我要喝咖啡。 I am going to get my hands on some coffeeWǒ yào hē kāfēi.I want to drink coffee.
我想喝咖啡。 I want to drink a cup of coffee, but may or may not act on thatWǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.I'd like to drink coffee.
你要吃什么？Nǐ yào chī shénme?What do you want to eat?
你想吃什么？Nǐ xiǎng chī shénme?What would you like to eat?

Structure

Examples

要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng)

Examples

See also