The [auxiliary verb](auxiliary_verb "wikilink") 要 (yào) has [several
different
meanings](Auxiliary_verb_"yao"_and_its_multiple_meanings "wikilink"),
and here we'll tackle the "be going to" meaning. You'll use this when
you are discussing your plans with someone.

Structure
---------

The idea behind this usage of 要 (yào) is that someone is "planning to"
or "going to" or "preparing to" do something. It's not that they just
*want to*, or *have to*, it's that they fully expect to do it. It's in
their plan.

This usage of 要 (yào) typically includes a [time
word](time_noun "wikilink") of some sort, which may be placed before or
after the subject. This is fairly logical; if you're discussing plans
for the future, you're quite likely to say when you plan to do things.

<div class="jiegou">
Subj. + Time + 要 + Verb

</div>
<div class="jiegou">
Time + Subj. + 要 + Verb

</div>
Note that the time word is not strictly required, and when it's missing,
you may at first find yourself wondering [which usage of 要
(yào)](Auxiliary_verb_"yao"_and_its_multiple_meanings "wikilink") you're
dealing with. This is normal; it just takes some getting used to.

Examples
--------

<div class="liju">
-   我 <strong>明天</strong> <em>要</em> 买 一 个 iPhone。
    <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong>míngtiān</strong> <em>yào</em> mǎi
    yī gè iPhone.</span><span class="trans">I am going to buy an iPhone
    tomorrow.</span>
-   你们 <strong>现在</strong> <em>要</em> 出去 吗？
    <span class="pinyin">Nǐmen <strong>xiànzài</strong> <em>yào</em>
    chūqù ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you all going out
    now?</span>
-   我们 <strong>今年</strong> <em>要</em> 去 美国 。
    <span class="pinyin">Wǒmen <strong>jīnnián</strong> <em>yào</em> qù
    Měiguó.</span><span class="trans">We are planning to go to the U.S.
    this year.</span>
-   他 <strong>下 个 月</strong> <em>要</em> 来 中国 工作。
    <span class="pinyin">Tā <strong>xià gè yuè</strong> <em>yào</em> lái
    Zhōngguó gōngzuò.</span><span class="trans">He is coming to China to
    work next month.</span>
-   你 <strong>下 个 星期</strong> <em>要</em> 去 她 家 吃 晚饭
    吗？<span class="pinyin"> Nǐ xià gè xīngqī <em>yào</em> qù tā jiā
    chī wǎnfàn ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you going to her place
    for dinner next week?</span>
-   这 个 <strong>星期天</strong> 你 <em>要</em> 做
    什么？<span class="pinyin">Zhège <strong>Xīngqītiān</strong> nǐ
    <em>yào</em> zuò shénme?</span><span class="trans">What are you
    doing this Sunday?</span>
-   我 <strong>晚上</strong> <em>要</em> 给 妈妈 打电话。
    <span class="pinyin">Wǒ <strong> wǎnshang</strong> <em>yào</em> gěi
    māma dǎ diànhuà.</span><span class="trans">I am going to call my mom
    this evening.</span>
-   <strong>下午</strong> 老师 <em>要</em> 来 我家。
    <span class="pinyin"><strong>Xiàwǔ</strong> lǎoshī <em>yào</em> lái
    wǒ jiā.</span><span class="trans">The teacher is coming to my place
    this afternoon.</span>
-   老板 <strong>明天</strong> <em>要</em> 见 他们 吗？
    <span class="pinyin">Lǎobǎn <strong>míngtiān</strong> <em>yào</em>
    jiàn tāmen ma?</span><span class="trans">Is the boss going to meet
    them tomorrow? </span>
-   <strong>下班 以后</strong> 你 <em>要</em> 回家 吗？
    <span class="pinyin"><strong>Xiàbān yǐhòu</strong> nǐ <em>yào</em>
    huíjiā ma?</span><span class="trans">Are you planning to go home
    after getting off work?</span>

</div>
See also
--------

-   [About to happen with "le"](About_to_happen_with_"le" "wikilink")
-   [Wanting to do something with
    "yao"](Wanting_to_do_something_with_"yao" "wikilink")
-   [Auxiliary verb "hui" for
    "will"](Auxiliary_verb_"hui"_for_"will" "wikilink")

Sources and further reading
---------------------------

### Books

-   [现代汉语八百词（增订本）](现代汉语八百词（增订本） "wikilink") (p.
    )
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E5%85%AB%E7%99%BE%E8%AF%8D/dp/B001198GSW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693275&sr=8-1)
-   [Chinese Grammar - Broken down into 100 items - Basic and
    Intermediate Levels (汉语语法百项讲练 -
    初中级)](Chinese_Grammar_-_Broken_down_into_100_items_-_Basic_and_Intermediate_Levels_(汉语语法百项讲练_-_初中级) "wikilink")[→buy](http://www.amazon.cn/gp/product/B004WA6JSQ/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-23&linkCode=as2&camp=536&creative=3132&creativeASIN=B004WA6JSQ)

### Dictionaries

-   [现代汉语词典（第5版）](现代汉语词典（第5版） "wikilink") (p. )
    [→buy](http://www.amazon.cn/%E7%8E%B0%E4%BB%A3%E6%B1%89%E8%AF%AD%E8%AF%8D%E5%85%B8/dp/B001B1RZCI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345693609&sr=8-1)

[Category:A1 grammar points](Category:A1_grammar_points "wikilink")