Difference between revisions of "Expressing "be going to" with "yao""
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The idea behind this usage of 要 (yào) is that someone is "planning to" or "going to" or "preparing to" do something. It's not that they just ''want to'', or ''have to'', it's that they fully expect to do it. It's in their plan. | The idea behind this usage of 要 (yào) is that someone is "planning to" or "going to" or "preparing to" do something. It's not that they just ''want to'', or ''have to'', it's that they fully expect to do it. It's in their plan. | ||
| − | This usage of 要 (yào) typically includes a [[time noun|time word]] of some sort, which may be placed before or after the subject. This is fairly logical; if you're discussing plans for the future, you're quite likely to say when you plan to do things | + | This usage of 要 (yào) typically includes a [[time noun|time word]] of some sort, which may be placed before or after the subject. This is fairly logical; if you're discussing plans for the future, you're quite likely to say when you plan to do things. |
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| + | Note that the time word is not strictly required, and when it's missing, you may at first find yourself wondering [[Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings|which usage of 要 (yào)]] you're dealing with. This is normal; it just takes some getting used to. | ||
== Examples == | == Examples == | ||
Revision as of 01:21, 22 June 2017
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Keywords
The auxiliary verb 要 (yào) has several different meanings, and here we'll tackle the "be going to" meaning. You'll use this when you are discussing your plans with someone.
Structure
The idea behind this usage of 要 (yào) is that someone is "planning to" or "going to" or "preparing to" do something. It's not that they just want to, or have to, it's that they fully expect to do it. It's in their plan.
This usage of 要 (yào) typically includes a time word of some sort, which may be placed before or after the subject. This is fairly logical; if you're discussing plans for the future, you're quite likely to say when you plan to do things.
Subj. + Time + 要 + Verb
Time + Subj. + 要 + Verb
Note that the time word is not strictly required, and when it's missing, you may at first find yourself wondering which usage of 要 (yào) you're dealing with. This is normal; it just takes some getting used to.
Examples
- 我 明天 要 买 一 个 iPhone。 I am going to buy an iPhone tomorrow.
- 你们 现在 要 出去 吗？ Are you all going out now?
- 我们 今年 要 去 美国 。 We are planning to go to the U.S. this year.
- 他 下 个 月 要 来 中国 工作。 He is coming to China to work next month.
- 你 下 个 星期 要 去 她 家 吃 晚饭 吗？Are you going to her place for dinner next week?
- 这 个 星期天 你 要 做 什么？What are you doing this Sunday?
- 我 晚上 要 给 妈妈 打电话。 I am going to call my mom this evening.
- 下午 老师 要 来 我家。 The teacher is coming to my place this afternoon.
- 老板 明天 要 见 他们 吗？ Is the boss going to meet them tomorrow?
- 下班 以后 你 要 回家 吗？ Are you planning to go home after getting off work?
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- 现代汉语八百词（增订本） (p. ) →buy
- Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 - 初中级)→buy
Dictionaries
- 现代汉语词典（第5版） (p. ) →buy
