Expressing "would like to" with "xiang"

Revision as of 07:49, 16 February 2016 by Agilbride (talk | contribs)

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.

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 酒吧 吗?Wǎnshang nǐ xiǎng jiǔibā ma? Would you like to go to the bar tonight?
  • 意大利面。xiǎng chī yìdàlìmiàn. I would like to eat spaghetti.
  • 老板 我。 Lǎobǎn xiǎng jiàn wǒ. The boss would like to see me.
  • 我 老婆 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 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

  • 他们 都 不 想 酒吧。 Tāmen dōu bù xiǎng jiǔbā. None of them would like to go to the bar.
  • 不 想 认识 这个 美女 吗?bù xiǎng rènshi zhè ge měinǚ ma? Would you not like to know this beautiful lady?
  • 今天 晚上 我 不 想 家。 Jīntiān wǎnshang wǒ bù xiǎng huí jiā. I would not like to return home today.
  • 那个 地方 很 近,我 不 想 车。Nàge dìfang hěnjìn, wǒ bù xiǎng kāi chē. That place is so close. I would not like to drive.
  • 不 想 父母 的 钱。 bù xiǎng huā fùmǔ de qián. He would not like to spend his parents' money.

See also

Sources and Further Reading

Books

Websites