HSK 1 · Chinese hanzi
要 — to want
- Reading
- yào
- Meaning
- to want; to need; to be going to
- HSK level
- HSK 1
- Language
- Chinese
About this hanzi
要 is a chinese hanzi character commonly studied at the HSK 1 level. Its primary reading is yào and it means to want; to need; to be going to. To master it, see it in real Chinese content — import an article or YouTube video into InputDojo and every occurrence becomes a one-tap lookup.
要 appears in everyday chinese words such as 要 (want, need, will), 不要 (don't want; don't) and 快要 (about to; soon).
Chinese words containing 要
Frequently asked questions
What does 要 mean in Chinese?
要 means to want; to need; to be going to in Chinese. It is one of the HSK 1 hanzi every learner meets at that level.
How is 要 read?
要 is read yào. Reading it inside real words — 要 and 不要 and more — is the fastest way to remember it.
What level is 要 — is it HSK 1?
Yes. 要 is on the official HSK 1 hanzi list, so it can appear in that exam's reading and vocabulary sections.
How do you use 要 in a word?
A common word containing 要 is 要 (yào) — "want, need, will". More examples are listed below, each with a one-tap dictionary entry.
How do I learn 要 effectively?
Read it in context. Import any Chinese article or video into InputDojo and every occurrence of 要 becomes a one-tap lookup with SRS flashcards, so you meet it in real sentences instead of a list.
More HSK 1 hanzi
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