Chiny

Pattern

想 and 要

Express desire and intention with 想 / 要.

Subject + 想/要 + Verb/Noun

想 + verb

想 often means want to / would like to + verb: 我想学习。

It can also mean think, but beginners start with desire.

Softer than a hard demand.

要 + noun/verb

要 can mean want (object) or going to/need to (verb), depending on context.

我要咖啡。我要去。

In ordering, 要 is extremely common.

Negation

不想 / 不要.

不要 can also mean “don’t…!” as a warning.

Tone sandhi: 不要 bú yào.

Polite ordering

我想喝… / 请给我… are friendly frames.

来 + measure + noun also orders items.

Combine with food lessons.

Examples

我想学习中文。 Wǒ xiǎng xuéxí Zhōngwén.

I want to study Chinese.

我要一杯茶。 Wǒ yào yì bēi chá.

I want a cup of tea.

他要去北京。 Tā yào qù Běijīng.

He is going to / wants to go to Beijing.

我不想吃辣的。 Wǒ bù xiǎng chī là de.

I don’t want to eat spicy food.

不要那个。 Bú yào nàge.

I don’t want that.

你想喝什么？ Nǐ xiǎng hē shénme?

What would you like to drink?

我想休息。 Wǒ xiǎng xiūxi.

I want to rest.

来两个包子。 Lái liǎng ge bāozi.

Bring two baozi.

Tips

  • 想 + verb is a friendly desire frame.
  • 要 is core for ordering.
  • 不要 has sandhi before tone 4.
  • Use questions 想…什么？ to practice.

Cloze drills

1. I want to rest.

Full: 我想休息。

想

2. I want coffee.

Full: 我要咖啡。

要

3. I don’t want that.

Full: 不要那个。

不要

4. What do you want to drink?

Full: 你想喝什么？

想喝