HSK 2
要
yào
want to, will
Structure
Subject + 要 + Verb + (Object)
How it works
The auxiliary verb '要' (yào) is used to express an intention or desire to do something, or to indicate a plan scheduled for the near future. Depending on the context, it can be translated as 'want to', 'going to', or 'will'.
Examples
我要去商店买水果。
Wǒ yào qù shāngdiàn mǎi shuǐguǒ.
I want to go to the store to buy fruit.
明天我们要去北京旅游。
Míngtiān wǒmen yào qù Běijīng lǚyóu.
Tomorrow we are going to travel to Beijing.
他要学习做中国菜。
Tā yào xuéxí zuò Zhōngguó cài.
He wants to learn how to cook Chinese food.
Common mistakes
Do not use '不面' (bù yào) to mean 'don't want to' in a general sense; '不要' often sounds like a command (Don't!). Use '不想' (bù xiǎng) instead for expressing a lack of desire.
Tip
If you are talking about a definite plan in the future, '要' is stronger and more certain than '想' (xiǎng).
More HSK 2 grammar
See 要 in real Chinese
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