Wanting to do something with "yao"

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

Some examples:

• 我 要 吃饭。 (I want to eat, more of a desire)
• 我 明天 要 走 了。 (I'm going to leave tomorrow, more of an intention)
• 她 要 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", 想 can be used instead of 要. Mixing up 想 and 要 is a big problem for learners of Chinese.

See also

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