Expressing "would like to" with "xiang"

If you want to express something that you "would like to do," 想 (xiǎng) will be a very helpful auxiliary verb to know. Although similar to 要 (yào), 想 (xiǎng) will give you another more tactful option when you want to articulate a desire.

The Basic 想 (xiǎng) Pattern

Structure

The verb 想 (xiǎng) can be used to express "would like to." In this case it's an auxiliary verb. The structure is:

Subj. + 想 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 我 想 吃 面。Wǒ xiǎng chī miàn. I would like to eat noodles.
• 你 想 喝 水 吗？Nǐ xiǎng hē shuǐ ma? Would you like to drink some water?
• 我们 想 看 电视。Wǒmen xiǎng kàn diànshì. We would like to watch TV.
• 他 想 买 一 个 大 房子。 Tā xiǎng mǎi yī gè dà fángzi. He would like to buy a big apartment.
• 你 想 去 酒吧 吗？Nǐ xiǎng qù jiǔbā ma? Would you like to go to the bar?

Negate 想 (xiǎng) with 不 (bù)

No surprises here: use 不 (bù) to negate 想 (xiǎng).

Structure

Subj. + 不 + 想 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 他们 不 想 去 酒吧。 Tāmen bù xiǎng qù jiǔbā. They wouldn't like to go to the bar.
• 你 不 想 认识 这个 美女 吗？Nǐ bù xiǎng rènshi zhège měinǚ ma? Would you not like to know this beautiful lady?
• 我 不 想 回家。Wǒ bù xiǎng huíjiā. I wouldn't like to return home.
• 那个 地方 很 近，我 不 想 开车。Nàge dìfang hěn jìn, wǒ bù xiǎng kāichē. That place is so close. I would not like to drive.
• 他 不 想 花 父母 的 钱。 Tā bù xiǎng huā fùmǔ de qián. He would not like to spend his parents' money.

See also

• Wanting to do something with yao

Sources and Further Reading

Books

• Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 112-3)　→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) (pp. 207) →buy

Websites

• Yale Chinese Usage Dictionary: The Uses of 想