6.9: Lesson 5 Grammar - Wanting to do something with 要 (yào)
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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。
Wǒ yào hē kāfēi.
I want to drink coffee.
[I am going to get my hands on some coffee.]
- 我想喝咖啡。
Wǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.
I'd like to drink coffee.
[I want to drink a cup of coffee, but may or may not act on that.]
- 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?
[adapted from AllSet Learning Chinese Grammar Wiki, Creative Commons License BY-NC-SA 3.0]
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Any Questions?
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