Expressing desires

The following structures that are used to express desires in Chinese are organized according to our grammar points by level.

A1 Expressing desires

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "be going to" with "yao" Subj. + 要 + Verb (+ 了) 去 吃饭,你 去 吗?
Wanting to do something with "yao" 要 + Verb 吃饭 。

A2 Expressing desires

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings 要 + Noun / 要 + Verb 一 杯 水。
Comparing "yao" and "xiang" 要 vs 想 一 杯 水 。 我 你 。
Expressing "would like to" with "xiang" 想 + Verb 去。

B1 Expressing desires

Grammar Point (English) Pattern Examples
Expressing "as one likes" with "jiu" 想 + Question Word + 就 + Question Word 哪儿 哪儿