Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings
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, so that can sound more like "going to" (like 会). 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. Using 要 instead of 想 is a common mistake for learners of Chinese.
See also
Sources and further reading
Books
- Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed) (pp. 154 - 155) →buy
