Difference between revisions of "Wanting to do something with "yao""
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| + | == 要 and 想 == | ||
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| + | Instead of using 要 (yào) it is also possible to use the word 想 (xiǎng). These two words are both [[modal verb]]s and are largely interchangeable, and both generally mean "to want." The only difference worth mentioning is that 要 (yào) is often used when it is something you want to/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, is often used as an idea of one's mind, that one may or may not take action on. You can think of it as meaning "would like to." | ||
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| + | For more information about the comparison between 想 (xiǎng) and 要 (yào) , see [[Comparing "yao" and "xiang"]]. | ||
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| + | For more information about how express "would like to" with 想 (xiǎng), see [["Would like to" with "xiang"]]. | ||
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| + | == Examples == | ||
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| + | <div class="liju"> | ||
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| + | * 我 <em>要</em> 喝 咖啡 。 <span class="expl">(I am going to get my hands on some coffee)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em> hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I want to drink coffee.</span> | ||
| + | * 我 <em>想</em> 喝 咖啡 。 <span class="expl">(I want to drink a cup of coffee, but may or may not act on that)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to drink coffee.</span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>要</em> 吃 什么 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yào</em> chī shénme?</span> <span class="trans">What do you want to eat?</span> | ||
| + | * 你 <em>想</em> 吃 什么 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em> chī shénme?</span> <span class="trans">What would you like to eat?</span> | ||
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| + | </div> | ||
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==See also== | ==See also== | ||
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*[["Would like to" with "xiang"]] | *[["Would like to" with "xiang"]] | ||
*[[Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"]] | *[[Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"]] | ||
| + | *[[Comparing "yao" and "xiang"]] | ||
== Sources and Further Reading == | == Sources and Further Reading == | ||
Revision as of 06:54, 19 September 2014
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Used for
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Keywords
To express "wanting to do" something, use 要 (yào).
Structure
The verb 要 (yào) can be used as an auxiliary verb to indicate wanting to do something.
Subject + 要 + Verb + Object
Examples
- 我 要 吃 饭。I want to eat.
- 他 要 学 中文。He wants to study Chinese.
- 她 要 去 酒吧。She wants to go to the bar.
- 我 要 去 上海。I want to go to Shanghai.
- 宝宝 要 睡觉。The baby wants to sleep.
- 我们 要 去 超市。We want to go to the supermarket.
- 我 要 去 上班。I want to go to work.
- 我 今天 要 吃 沙拉。Today I want to eat salad.
- 我 要 做 中国 菜。I want to make Chinese food.
- 我 要 请 你们 来 我 家。I want to invite you to come to my home.
要 and 想
Instead of using 要 (yào) it is also possible to use the word 想 (xiǎng). These two words are both modal verbs and are largely interchangeable, and both generally mean "to want." The only difference worth mentioning is that 要 (yào) is often used when it is something you want to/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, is often used as an idea of one's mind, that one may or may not take action on. You can think of it as meaning "would like to."
For more information about the comparison between 想 (xiǎng) and 要 (yào) , see Comparing "yao" and "xiang".
For more information about how express "would like to" with 想 (xiǎng), see "Would like to" with "xiang".
Examples
- 我 要 喝 咖啡 。 (I am going to get my hands on some coffee)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 that)I'd like to drink coffee.
- 你 要 吃 什么 ？ What do you want to eat?
- 你 想 吃 什么 ？ What would you like to eat?
