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 verb to know. Differing from 要 (yào), learning 想 (xiǎng) will give you another option when you want to articulate a desire.

想 sentence

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

• 晚上 你 想 去 酒吧 吗？Wǎnshang nǐ xiǎng qù jiǔibā ma? I would like to go to the bar.
• 我 想 吃 意大利面。 Wǒ xiǎng chī yìdàlìmiàn. I would like to eat spaghetti.
• 老板 想 见 我。 Lǎobǎn xiǎng jiàn wǒ. The boss would like to see me.
• 我 老婆 想 买 一 个 大 房子 。 Wǒ lǎopó xiǎng mǎi yī gè dà fángzi. My wife would like to buy a big apartment.
• 这个 周末 你们 想 出去 玩 吗? Zhè ge zhōumò nǐmen xiǎng chūqù wán ma? Would you like to go out and have fun?

Negating 想 sentence

Structure

Subj. + 不 + 想 + Verb + Obj.

Examples

• 我 不 想 去 。 Wǒ bù xiǎng qù. I would not like to go.
• 我 不 想 喝 啤酒 。 Wǒ bù xiǎng hē píjiǔ. I would not like to drink beer.
• 他 不 想 回 家 。 Tā bù xiǎng huí jiā. He doesn't want to return home.
• 你 不 想 喝 咖啡 吗 ？ Nǐ bù xiǎng hē kāfēi ma? Wouldn't you like to drink coffee?
• 我 不 想 买 车 。 Wǒ bù xiǎng mǎi chē. I don't want to buy a car.

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