Expressing "would like to" with "xiang"

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.

想 (xiǎng) Sentence

Structure

The verb 想 (xiǎng) can be used to express "would like to." In this case it's an auxiliary verb. The structure is:

Subj. + 想 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 晚上 你 想 去 酒吧 吗？Wǎnshang nǐ xiǎng qù jiǔbā ma? Would you like to go to the bar tonight?
• 我 想 吃 意大利面。Wǒ xiǎng chī yìdàlìmiàn. I would like to eat spaghetti.
• 老板 想 见 我。 Lǎobǎn xiǎng jiàn wǒ. The boss would like to see me.
• 我 老婆 想 买 一 个 大 房子 。 Wǒ lǎopo xiǎng mǎi yī gè dà fángzi. My wife would like to buy a big apartment.
• 这个 周末 你们 想 出去 玩 吗? Zhège zhōumò nǐmen xiǎng chūqù wán ma? Would you like to go out and have fun?

Negating 想 (xiǎng) Sentence

Structure

Subj. + 不 + 想 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 他们 都 不 想 去 酒吧。 Tāmen dōu bù xiǎng qù jiǔbā. None of them would like to go to the bar.
• 你 不 想 认识 这个 美女 吗？Nǐ bù xiǎng rènshi zhè ge měinǚ ma? Would you not like to know this beautiful lady?
• 今天 晚上 我 不 想 回 家。 Jīntiān wǎnshang wǒ bù xiǎng huí jiā. I would not like to return home today.
• 那个 地方 很 近，我 不 想 开 车。Nàge dìfang hěn jìn, wǒ bù xiǎng kāi chē. 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.

See also

• Wanting to do something with yao

Sources and Further Reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 112-3)　→buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1) (pp. 179-80) →buy
• New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed) (pp. 207) →buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: The Uses of 想