5.7: Lesson 4 Grammar - Expressing "would like to" with 想 (xiǎng)
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If you want to express something that you "would like to do," 想 (xiǎng) will be a very helpful auxiliary verb to know. Although similar to 要 (yào), 想 (xiǎng) will give you another more tactful option when you want to articulate a desire.
The verb 想 (xiǎng) can be used to express "would like to." In this case it's an auxiliary verb.
Structure
Subj. + 想 + Verb (+ Obj.)
Examples
- 你想去吗？
Nǐ xiǎng qù ma?
Would you like to go?
- 我想吃面。
Wǒ xiǎng chī miàn.
I would like to eat noodles.
- 你想喝水吗？
Nǐ xiǎng hē shuǐ ma?
Would you like to drink some water?
- 我们想看电视。
Wǒmen xiǎng kàn diànshì.
We would like to watch TV.
- 他想买一个大房子。
Tā xiǎng mǎi yī gè dà fángzi.
He would like to buy a big apartment.
Negate 想 (xiǎng) with 不 (bù)
No surprises here: use 不 (bù) to negate 想 (xiǎng).
Structure
Subj. + 不 + 想 + Verb + Obj.
Examples
- 他们不想去酒吧。
Tāmen bù xiǎng qù jiǔbā.
They wouldn't like to go to the bar.
- 你不想认识这个美女吗？
Nǐ bù xiǎng rènshi zhège měinǚ ma?
Would you not like to know this beautiful lady?
- 我不想回家。
Wǒ bù xiǎng huíjiā.
I wouldn't like to return home.
- 那个地方很近，我不想开车。
Nàge dìfang hěn jìn, wǒ bù xiǎng kāichē.
That place is so close. I would not like to drive.
- 他不想花父母的钱。
Tā bù xiǎng huā fùmǔ de qián.
He would not like to spend his parents' money.
[adapted from AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki, Creative Commons License BY-NC-SA 3.0]
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