Difference between revisions of "Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings"

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[[Category:Verbs]]
 
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[[Category:Auxiliary verbs]]
 
[[Category:Auxiliary verbs]]
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{{Used for|Expressing Desires}}
 
{{Used for|Expressing Desires}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|要|A2|要 + V|明天 <em>要</em> 工作 吗?|grammar point|ASG95AL1}}
 
{{Basic Grammar|要|A2|要 + V|明天 <em>要</em> 工作 吗?|grammar point|ASG95AL1}}

Revision as of 02:54, 19 June 2012

Structure

In Chinese, 要 (yào), the verb "to want" doesn't quite function like the English. It means "want to" (like ), but it's tone is very firm, so that can sound more like "going to" (like ). It's specific meaning often depends on context.

Examples

  • 吃饭。 (I want to eat, more of a desire)
  • 我 明天 走 了。 (I'm going to leave tomorrow, more of an intention)
  • 去 酒吧。(She wants/is going to go the the bar, possibly a desire or intention, dependent on context)

Note that if the speaker wishes to say "I'd like to", can be used instead of 要. Using 要 instead of 想 is a common mistake for learners of Chinese.


See also

Sources and further reading

Books