Wanting to do something with "yao"

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 both auxiliary 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, 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 。 I am going to get my hands on some coffeeWǒ yào hē kāfēi.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 thatWǒ xiǎng hē kāfēi.I'd like to drink coffee.
• 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?

See also

• "Would like to" with "xiang"
• Comparing "yao" and "xiang"
• Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"

Sources and Further Reading

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (p. 231) →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) (p. 207) →buy