Difference between revisions of "Comparing "yao" and "xiang""

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{{Grammar Box}}
 
{{Grammar Box}}
  
Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) can mean "want," but they're used in slightly different ways, such as 想 (xiǎng) meaning "to miss" when followed by a noun, and 要 (yào) also meaning "going to (do something).
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Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) can essentially mean "want," but they can also be used in quite different ways, such as 想 (xiǎng) also meaning "to miss" when followed by a noun, and 要 (yào) also meaning "going to (do something)."
  
 
== Followed by a Noun ==
 
== Followed by a Noun ==
  
Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) may be followed by nouns, but their meanings are different, because the meaning of 想 (xiǎng) changes when used this way.
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Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) may be followed by nouns, but pay attention to how the meaning of 想 (xiǎng) totally changes when used this way.
  
=== 要 as "to want" ===
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=== 要 (yào) as "to Want" ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
This structure is most often used to buy something, or to order food as a restaurant. It's also to imagine a demanding child using this pattern to get stuff from his parents. This pattern can be rude, but it's not as inherently rude as it may seem when translated directly into English.
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In this pattern, 要 (yào) is directly followed by a thing (a noun), rather than by a verb. It is often used to buy something, or to order food at a restaurant.
 +
 
 +
It may be helpful to imagine a demanding child using this pattern to get stuff from his parents. This "''I want x!''" pattern can seem slightly impolite, but to the Chinese ear it's not as inherently rude as it may seem when translated directly into English. Tone of voice plays a key role when using this pattern in spoken Chinese.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 也 <em>要</em> 茶 吗? <span class="expl">(ordering in a restaurant)</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ yě <em>yào</em> chá ma?</span> <span class="trans">Do you also want tea?</span>
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* 你 也 <em>要</em> 茶 吗?<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">ordering in a restaurant</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐ yě <em>yào</em> chá ma? </span><span class="trans">Do you also want tea?</span>
* 我们 都 <em>要</em> 咖啡。 <span class="expl">(ordering in a cafe)</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu <em>yào</em> kāfēi.</span> <span class="trans">We all want coffee.</span>
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* 我们 都 <em>要</em> 咖啡。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">ordering in a cafe</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒmen dōu <em>yào</em> kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">We all want coffee. </span>
* 大家 <em>要</em> 不要 米饭? <span class="expl">(ordering in a restaurant)</span><span class="pinyin">Dàjiā <em>yào</em> bù yào mǐfàn?</span> <span class="trans">Does everyone want rice or not?</span>
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* 大家 <em>要</em> 不 <em>要</em> 米饭?<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">ordering in a restaurant</span><span class="pinyin">Dàjiā <em>yào</em> bù <em>yào</em> mǐfàn? </span><span class="trans">Does everyone want rice? </span>
* 你们 <em>要</em> 冰水 还是 热水? <span class="expl">(ordering in a restaurant)</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>yào</em> bīngshuǐ háishì rèshuǐ?</span> <span class="trans">Do you want icy water or hot water?</span>
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* 你们 <em>要</em> 冰水 还是 热水?<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">ordering in a restaurant</span><span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>yào</em> bīng shuǐ háishì rè shuǐ? </span><span class="trans">Do you want ice water or hot water? </span>
* 谢谢, 我 什么 都 不 <em>要</em>。 <span class="expl">(ordering in a restaurant)</span><span class="pinyin">Xièxiè, wǒ shénmen dōu bù <em>yào</em>.</span> <span class="trans">Thank you.I don't need anything.</span>
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* 谢谢,我 什么 都 不 <em>要</em>。<span class="expl pdf-simple-expl">ordering in a restaurant</span><span class="pinyin">Xièxiè, wǒ shénme dōu bù <em>yào</em>.</span><span class="trans">Thank you. I don't need anything.</span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 想 as "to miss" ===
+
=== 想 (xiǎng) as "to Miss" ===
  
Pay attention here: unlike "想 + Verb," the meaning of 想 in the "想 + Noun" pattern becomes "to miss."
+
'''Pay attention here:''' unlike "想 (xiǎng) + Verb," the meaning of 想 (xiǎng) in the "想 (xiǎng) + Noun" pattern becomes "to miss."
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
* 我<em>想</em> 你。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em> xiǎng</em> nǐ.</span> <span class="trans">I miss you.</span>
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 +
* 我 <em>想</em> 你。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> nǐ.</span><span class="trans">I miss you.</span>
 
* 我 有点 <em>想</em> 我 的 家人。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yǒudiǎn <em> xiǎng</em> wǒ de jiārén.</span><span class="trans">I sort of miss my family.</span>
 
* 我 有点 <em>想</em> 我 的 家人。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ yǒudiǎn <em> xiǎng</em> wǒ de jiārén.</span><span class="trans">I sort of miss my family.</span>
* 你们 回 美国 以后, 会 <em>想</em> 中国菜 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen huí Měiguó yǐhòu huì <em> xiǎng</em> Zhōngguó cài ma?</span><span class="trans">Will you miss Chinese food after you go back to America?</span>
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* 你们 回 美国 以后, 会 <em>想</em> 中国菜 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen huí Měiguó yǐhòu, huì <em> xiǎng</em> Zhōngguó cài ma? </span><span class="trans">Will you all miss Chinese food after you go back to the U.S.? </span>
* 你女朋友 不 在 的时候, 你 会 <em>想</em> 她 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ nǚpéngyou bù zài deshíhou, nǐ huì <em>xiǎng</em> tā ma?<span class="trans">Do you miss your girlfriend when she is not here?</span>
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* 你女朋友 不 在 的时候,你 会 <em>想</em> 她 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ nǚpéngyou bù zài de shíhou, nǐ huì <em>xiǎng</em> tā ma? </span><span class="trans">Do you miss your girlfriend when she is not around? </span>
* 妈妈 昨天 打 电话 的时候 跟 我 说, 她 很<em>想</em> 我。<span class="pinyin">Māma dǎ diànhuà deshíhou gēn wǒ shuō, tā hěn <em>xiǎng</em> wǒ.<span class="trans">Mom called me and said she misses me a lot.</span>
+
* 妈妈 打 电话 的 时候 跟 我 说, 她 很 <em>想</em> 我。<span class="pinyin">Māma dǎ diànhuà de shíhou gēn wǒ shuō, tā hěn <em>xiǎng</em> wǒ.</span><span class="trans">Mom called me and said she misses me a lot.</span>
 +
 
 +
</div>
  
 
== Followed by a Verb ==
 
== Followed by a Verb ==
  
Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) may be followed by verbs with similar meanings. The difference between the two is rather subtle, but 要 (yào) can sound more urgent or demanding (sometimes even childish), while 想 (xiǎng) is usually a bit more mature and polite. Tone of voice plays a big role here as well, though, so don't be afraid of offending people by using 要 (yào); the word itself isn't rude.
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要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) have similar meanings when followed by verbs. The difference is rather subtle, but 要 (yào) can sound more urgent or demanding (sometimes even childish), while 想 (xiǎng) is usually a bit more mature and polite. Tone of voice plays a big role here as well, though, so don't be afraid of offending people by using 要 (yào); the word itself isn't rude.
  
=== 要 as "want to" ===
+
=== 要 (yào) as "Want to" ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 我 <em>要</em> 休息。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em> xiūxi.</span> <span class="trans">I want to rest.</span>
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* 我 <em>要</em> 休息 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em> xiūxi.</span><span class="trans">I want to rest.</span>
* 你 也 <em>要</em> 回家 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yě <em>yào</em> huíjiā ma?</span><span class="trans">Do you also want to go home?</span>
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* 你 也 <em>要</em> 回家 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ yě <em>yào</em> huíjiā ma? </span><span class="trans">Do you also want to go home? </span>
* 你们 <em>要</em> 喝 什么?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>yào</em> hē shénme?</span><span class="trans">What do you want to drink?</span>
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* 你们 <em>要</em> 喝 什么 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>yào</em> hē shénme? </span><span class="trans">What do you want to drink? </span>
* 我 <em>要</em> 帮 老板 做 完 这 些 工作。 <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em>  bāng lǎobǎn zuò wán zhè xiē gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I want to help the boss finish these work.</span>
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* 我 <em>要</em> 帮 老板 做 完 这些 工作 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em>  bāng lǎobǎn zuò wán zhèxiē gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">I want to help the boss finish this work.</span>
* 大家 晚上 <em>要</em> 不 要 出去 吃?<span class="pinyin">Dàjiā wǎnshang <em>yào</em> yào chūqù chī?</span> <span class="trans">Does everyone want to go out to eat tonight?</span>
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* 大家 晚上 <em>要</em> 不 <em></em> 出去 吃 ?<span class="pinyin">Dàjiā wǎnshang <em>yào</em> bu <em>yào</em> chūqù chī? </span><span class="trans">Does everyone want to go out to eat tonight? </span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 想 as "would like to" ===
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=== 想 (xiǎng) as "Would Like to" ===
  
 
==== Structure ====
 
==== Structure ====
  
It might help to think of 想 (xiǎng) as meaning "would like to" instead of "want to."
+
It might help to think of 想 (xiǎng) as meaning "would like to" instead of "want to." In English, as well, "would like to" feels more indirect, and thus less demanding and more more polite.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 <em>想</em> 去 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em> qù ma?</span> <span class="trans">Would you like to go?</span>
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* 你 <em>想</em> 去 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em> qù ma? </span><span class="trans">Would you like to go? </span>
* 我 不 <em>想</em> 见 她。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em>xiǎng</em> jiàn tā.</span> <span class="trans">I'd like not to see her.</span>
+
* 我 不 <em>想</em> 见 她 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ bù <em>xiǎng</em> jiàn tā.</span><span class="trans">I wouldn't like to see her.</span>
* 周末 你们 <em>想</em> 看 电影 吗?<span class="pinyin">Zhōumò nǐmen <em>xiǎng</em> kàn diànyǐng ma?</span> <span class="trans">Would you like to see a movie this weekend? </span>
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* 周末 你们 <em>想</em> 看 电影 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Zhōumò nǐmen <em>xiǎng</em> kàn diànyǐng ma? </span><span class="trans">Would you like to see a movie this weekend? </span>
* 我 <em>想</em> 结婚。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> gēn jíhūn.</span> <span class="trans">I want to marry you.</span>
+
* 我 <em>想</em> 吃饭 。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> qǐng chīfàn.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to treat you to dinner.</span>
* 他们 春节 不 <em>想</em> 回家 吗?<span class="pinyin">Tāmen chūjié bù <em>xiǎng</em> huíjiā ma?</span>  <span class="trans">Do they not want to go back home during Spring Festival?</span>
+
* 他们 春节 不 <em>想</em> 回家 吗 ?<span class="pinyin">Tāmen Chūnjié bù <em>xiǎng</em> huíjiā ma? </span>  <span class="trans">Don't they want to go back home for Spring Festival? </span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
=== 要 as "going to" ===
+
=== 要 (yào) as "Going to" ===
  
 
要 is used to indicate plans for the near future, much like "going to" in English. 想 (xiǎng) is not used in this way.
 
要 is used to indicate plans for the near future, much like "going to" in English. 想 (xiǎng) is not used in this way.
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<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 星期六 我 <em>要</em> 去 北京。<span class="pinyin">Xīngqīliù wǒ <em>yào</em> qù Běijīng.</span> <span class="trans">I'm going to Beijing on Saturday.</span>
+
* 星期六 我 <em>要</em> 去 北京。<span class="pinyin">Xīngqīliù wǒ <em>yào</em> qù Běijīng.</span><span class="trans">I'm going to Beijing on Saturday.</span>
* 下 个 月 她 <em>要</em> 找 新 工作。<span class="pinyin">Xià gè yuè tā <em>yào</em> zhǎo xīn gōngzuò.</span> <span class="trans">She is going to find a new job next month.</span>
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* 下 个 月 她 <em>要</em> 找 新 工作。<span class="pinyin">Xià gè yuè tā <em>yào</em> zhǎo xīn gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">She is going to look for a new job next month.</span>
* 这个 周末 你们 <em>要</em> 出去 玩 吗?<span class="pinyin">Zhè gè zhōumò nǐmen <em>yào</em>  chūqù wán ma?</span> <span class="trans">Are you going out to have fun this weekend?</span>
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* 这个 周末 你们 <em>要</em> 出去 玩 吗?<span class="pinyin">Zhège zhōumò nǐmen <em>yào</em>  chūqù wán ma? </span><span class="trans">Are you going out partying this weekend? </span>
* 结婚 以后,你 <em>要</em> 跟 父母 住 在 一起 吗?<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn yǐhòu, nǐ <em>yào</em>  gēn nǐ fùmǔ zhù zài yīqǐ ma?</span> <span class="trans">Are you going to live together with your parents after you get married?</span>
+
* 结婚 以后,你 <em>要</em> 跟 父母 住 在 一起 吗?<span class="pinyin">Jiéhūn yǐhòu, nǐ <em>yào</em>  gēn nǐ fùmǔ zhù zài yīqǐ ma? </span><span class="trans">Are you going to live together with your parents after you get married? </span>
* 生 完 孩子 以后,你太太 <em>要</em> 回去 工作 吗?<span class="pinyin">Shēng wán háizi yǐhòu, nǐtàitài  <em>yào</em> huíqù gōngzuò ma?</span> <span class="trans">Is your wife going back to work after she finishes giving birth to the baby?</span>
+
* 生 完 孩子 以后,你 太太 <em>要</em> 回去 工作 吗?<span class="pinyin">Shēng wán háizi yǐhòu, nǐ tàitai <em>yào</em> huíqù gōngzuò ma? </span><span class="trans">Is your wife going back to work after she finishes giving birth to the baby? </span>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
== 想要 as "want" ==
+
== 想要 (xiǎngyào) as "Want" ==
 +
 
 +
=== Structure ===
  
 
You can put 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) together to make the word 想要 (xiǎngyào), which means "to want." You can put either nouns or verbs after it.
 
You can put 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) together to make the word 想要 (xiǎngyào), which means "to want." You can put either nouns or verbs after it.
  
 
<div class="jiegou">
 
<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + 想要 + Verb
+
Subj. + 想要 + Noun / Verb
 
</div>
 
</div>
 +
 +
=== Examples ===
  
 
<div class="liju">
 
<div class="liju">
  
* 你 <em>想要</em> 几 个 孩子?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <em>xiǎng yào</em> shēng jǐ gè háizi?</span> <span class="trans">How many kids do you want to have?</span>
+
* 你 <em>想要</em> 几 个 孩子 ?<span class="pinyin"><em>xiǎngyào</em> jǐ gè háizi? </span><span class="trans">How many kids do you want to have? </span>
* 很多 女孩 都 <em>想要</em> 找 一 个 有钱 的 男朋友。<span class="pinyin">Hěn duō nǚhái dōu <em>xiǎng yào</em> zhǎo yī gè yǒuqián de nánpéngyou.</span> <span class="trans">A lot of girls want to find a rich boyfriend.</span>
+
* 我 老婆 总是 <em>想要</em> 最 贵 的 包。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ lǎopo zǒngshì <em>xiǎngyào</em> zuì guì de bāo.</span><span class="trans">My wife always wants the most expensive bags.</span>
* 你们 为什么 <em>想要</em> 离开 这 家 公司? <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen wèishénme <em>xiǎng yào</em> líkāi zhè jiā gōngsī ?</span> <span class="trans">Why do you want to leave this company?</span>
+
* 她 <em>想要</em> 找 一 个 有钱 的 男朋友 。<span class="pinyin"><em>xiǎngyào</em> zhǎo yī gè yǒuqián de nánpéngyou.</span><span class="trans">She wants to find a rich boyfriend.</span>
* 他 <em>想要</em> 帮 你 找 一 个 更好 的 工作。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>xiǎng yào</em> bāng nǐ zhǎo yī gè gèng hǎo de gōngzuò.</span> <span class="trans">He wants to help you find a better job.</span>
+
* 你们 为什么 <em>想要</em> 离开 北京 ?<span class="pinyin">Nǐmen wèishénme <em>xiǎngyào</em> líkāi Běijīng? </span><span class="trans">Why do you all want to leave Beijing?</span>
* 我老婆 总是 <em>想要</em> 买 最 贵 的 包。<span class="pinyin">Wǒlǎopo zǒngshì <em>xiǎng yào</em> mǎi zuì guì de bāo.</span> <span class="trans">My wife always wants to buy the most expensive bags.</span>
+
* 他 <em>想要</em> 帮 你 找 一 个 更好 的 工作。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>xiǎngyào</em> bāng nǐ zhǎo yī gè gèng hǎo de gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">He wants to help you find a better job.</span>
</div>
 
  
== Dialog ==
 
These conversations use 想 and 要 in various ways described in this article.
 
<div class="liju">
 
<ul class="dialog">
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>要</em> 什么?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yào</em> shénme?</span><span class="trans">What do you want?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em>要</em> 一 杯 红茶。我 还 <em>想要</em> 一杯 牛奶。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng yào</em> yī bēi hóngchá.Wǒ hái xiǎng yào yī bēi niúnǎi.</span> <span class="trans">I want a cup of black tea. I also want a glass of milk.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
<ul class="dialog">
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>想</em> 家 吗?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em>  jiā ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you homesick?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em>想</em> 家。我 很 <em>想</em> 我 爸妈。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> jiā.Wǒ hěn <em>xiǎng</em> wǒ bàmā.</span><span class="trans">Yeah, I'm homesick. I really miss my parents.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
<ul class="dialog">
 
<li><span class="speaker">A:</span> 你 <em>想</em> 不 想 跟 她 结婚?<span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em> bù xiǎng gēn tā jiéhūn?</span><span class="trans">Would you like to go back?</span></li>
 
<li><span class="speaker">B:</span> 我 <em>想</em>。可是 我们 <em>要</em> 先 买 房子 再 结婚。<span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em>.Késhì wǒ <em>yào</em> xiān mǎi fángzi zài jiéhūn.</span><span class="trans">Yeah, I would. But I'm going to buy a house first and then gat married.</span></li>
 
</ul>
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
</div>
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==See also==
 
 
== See also ==
 
  
 
*[[Wanting to do something with yao]]
 
*[[Wanting to do something with yao]]
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=== Books ===
 
=== Books ===
* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (pp. 154-5) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
+
 
 +
{{Source|Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)|154-5}}
  
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
 
[[Category:grammar comparison]]
{{Basic Grammar|要|A2|要 vs 想|我 <em>要</em> 一 杯 水。|grammar point|ASGD88UO}}
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{{Basic Grammar|要|A2|要 vs 想|我 <em>要</em> 一 杯 水 。 我 <em>想</em> 你 。|grammar point|ASGD88UO}}
{{Similar|"Would like to" with xiang}}
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{{HSK|HSK2}}{{2021-HSK|HSK2}}
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{{Rel char|想}}
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{{Similar|"Would like to" with xiang}}  
 
{{Similar|Wanting to do something with yao}}
 
{{Similar|Wanting to do something with yao}}
 
{{Comparison|Auxiliary verbs}}
 
{{Comparison|Auxiliary verbs}}

Latest revision as of 08:57, 21 April 2021

Chinese-grammar-wiki-yao.jpg

Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) can essentially mean "want," but they can also be used in quite different ways, such as 想 (xiǎng) also meaning "to miss" when followed by a noun, and 要 (yào) also meaning "going to (do something)."

Followed by a Noun

Both 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) may be followed by nouns, but pay attention to how the meaning of 想 (xiǎng) totally changes when used this way.

要 (yào) as "to Want"

Structure

In this pattern, 要 (yào) is directly followed by a thing (a noun), rather than by a verb. It is often used to buy something, or to order food at a restaurant.

It may be helpful to imagine a demanding child using this pattern to get stuff from his parents. This "I want x!" pattern can seem slightly impolite, but to the Chinese ear it's not as inherently rude as it may seem when translated directly into English. Tone of voice plays a key role when using this pattern in spoken Chinese.

Subj. + 要 + Noun

Examples

  • 你 也 茶 吗?ordering in a restaurantNǐ yě yào chá ma? Do you also want tea?
  • 我们 都 咖啡。ordering in a cafeWǒmen dōu yào kāfēi.We all want coffee.
  • 大家 米饭?ordering in a restaurantDàjiā yàoyào mǐfàn? Does everyone want rice?
  • 你们 冰水 还是 热水?ordering in a restaurantNǐmen yào bīng shuǐ háishì rè shuǐ? Do you want ice water or hot water?
  • 谢谢,我 什么 都 不 ordering in a restaurantXièxiè, wǒ shénme dōu bù yào.Thank you. I don't need anything.

想 (xiǎng) as "to Miss"

Pay attention here: unlike "想 (xiǎng) + Verb," the meaning of 想 (xiǎng) in the "想 (xiǎng) + Noun" pattern becomes "to miss."

Structure

Subj. + 想 + Noun

Examples

  • 你。xiǎng nǐ.I miss you.
  • 我 有点 我 的 家人。Wǒ yǒudiǎn xiǎng wǒ de jiārén.I sort of miss my family.
  • 你们 回 美国 以后, 会 中国菜 吗?Nǐmen huí Měiguó yǐhòu, huì xiǎng Zhōngguó cài ma? Will you all miss Chinese food after you go back to the U.S.?
  • 你女朋友 不 在 的时候,你 会 她 吗?Nǐ nǚpéngyou bù zài de shíhou, nǐ huì xiǎng tā ma? Do you miss your girlfriend when she is not around?
  • 妈妈 打 电话 的 时候 跟 我 说, 她 很 我。Māma dǎ diànhuà de shíhou gēn wǒ shuō, tā hěn xiǎng wǒ.Mom called me and said she misses me a lot.

Followed by a Verb

要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) have similar meanings when followed by verbs. The difference is rather subtle, but 要 (yào) can sound more urgent or demanding (sometimes even childish), while 想 (xiǎng) is usually a bit more mature and polite. Tone of voice plays a big role here as well, though, so don't be afraid of offending people by using 要 (yào); the word itself isn't rude.

要 (yào) as "Want to"

Structure

It might help to think of 要 (yào) in this sense as meaning "want to" and 想 (xiǎng) as meaning "would like to."

Subj. + 要 + Verb

Examples

  • 休息 。yào xiūxi.I want to rest.
  • 你 也 回家 吗 ?Nǐ yě yào huíjiā ma? Do you also want to go home?
  • 你们 喝 什么 ?Nǐmen yào hē shénme? What do you want to drink?
  • 帮 老板 做 完 这些 工作 。yào bāng lǎobǎn zuò wán zhèxiē gōngzuò.I want to help the boss finish this work.
  • 大家 晚上 出去 吃 ?Dàjiā wǎnshang yào bu yào chūqù chī? Does everyone want to go out to eat tonight?

想 (xiǎng) as "Would Like to"

Structure

It might help to think of 想 (xiǎng) as meaning "would like to" instead of "want to." In English, as well, "would like to" feels more indirect, and thus less demanding and more more polite.

Subj. + 想 + Verb

Examples

  • 去 吗 ?xiǎng qù ma? Would you like to go?
  • 我 不 见 她 。Wǒ bù xiǎng jiàn tā.I wouldn't like to see her.
  • 周末 你们 看 电影 吗 ?Zhōumò nǐmen xiǎng kàn diànyǐng ma? Would you like to see a movie this weekend?
  • 请 你 吃饭 。xiǎng qǐng nǐ chīfàn.I'd like to treat you to dinner.
  • 他们 春节 不 回家 吗 ?Tāmen Chūnjié bù xiǎng huíjiā ma? Don't they want to go back home for Spring Festival?

要 (yào) as "Going to"

要 is used to indicate plans for the near future, much like "going to" in English. 想 (xiǎng) is not used in this way.

Structure

Subj. + 要 + Verb

Examples

  • 星期六 我 去 北京。Xīngqīliù wǒ yào qù Běijīng.I'm going to Beijing on Saturday.
  • 下 个 月 她 找 新 工作。Xià gè yuè tā yào zhǎo xīn gōngzuò.She is going to look for a new job next month.
  • 这个 周末 你们 出去 玩 吗?Zhège zhōumò nǐmen yào chūqù wán ma? Are you going out partying this weekend?
  • 结婚 以后,你 跟 父母 住 在 一起 吗?Jiéhūn yǐhòu, nǐ yào gēn nǐ fùmǔ zhù zài yīqǐ ma? Are you going to live together with your parents after you get married?
  • 生 完 孩子 以后,你 太太 回去 工作 吗?Shēng wán háizi yǐhòu, nǐ tàitai yào huíqù gōngzuò ma? Is your wife going back to work after she finishes giving birth to the baby?

想要 (xiǎngyào) as "Want"

Structure

You can put 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) together to make the word 想要 (xiǎngyào), which means "to want." You can put either nouns or verbs after it.

Subj. + 想要 + Noun / Verb

Examples

  • 想要 几 个 孩子 ?xiǎngyào jǐ gè háizi? How many kids do you want to have?
  • 我 老婆 总是 想要 最 贵 的 包。Wǒ lǎopo zǒngshì xiǎngyào zuì guì de bāo.My wife always wants the most expensive bags.
  • 想要 找 一 个 有钱 的 男朋友 。xiǎngyào zhǎo yī gè yǒuqián de nánpéngyou.She wants to find a rich boyfriend.
  • 你们 为什么 想要 离开 北京 ?Nǐmen wèishénme xiǎngyào líkāi Běijīng? Why do you all want to leave Beijing?
  • 想要 帮 你 找 一 个 更好 的 工作。xiǎngyào bāng nǐ zhǎo yī gè gèng hǎo de gōngzuò.He wants to help you find a better job.

See also

Sources and further reading

Books