{{Grammar Box}} 

The [[auxiliary verb]] 要 (yào) has [[Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings|several different meanings]], and here we'll tackle the "want to" meaning. To express "wanting to do" something, use 要 (yào) before the verb.

== Structure ==

The verb 要 (yào) can be used as an [[auxiliary verb]] to indicate ''wanting to do'' something. 

<div class="jiegou">

Subj. + 要 + Verb + Obj.

</div>

== Examples ==

<div class="liju">

* 他 <em>要</em> 学 中文。<span class="pinyin">Tā <em>yào</em> xué Zhōngwén.</span><span class="trans">He wants to study Chinese.</span>
* 宝宝 <em>要</em> 睡觉。<span class="pinyin">Bǎobao <em>yào</em> shuìjiào.</span><span class="trans">The baby wants to sleep.</span>
* 早饭 我 <em>要</em> 吃 肉。<span class="pinyin">Zǎofàn wǒ <em>yào</em> chī ròu.</span><span class="trans">For breakfast I want to eat meat.</span>
* 今天 很 累，我 <em>要</em> 休息。<span class="pinyin">Jīntiān hěn lèi, wǒ <em>yào</em> xiūxi.</span><span class="trans"> Today I'm very tired. I want to rest.</span>
* 这 个 周末 你们 <em>要</em> 做什么？<span class="pinyin"> Zhège zhōumò nǐmen <em>yào</em> zuò shénme?</span><span class="trans">This weekend what do you want to do?</span>
</div>

== 要 (yào) and 想 (xiǎng) ==

Instead of using 要 (yào), it is also possible to use the word 想 (xiǎng). These two words are largely interchangeable, and both can mean "to want." The small difference is that 要 (yào) is often used for something you want to or ''need'' to do, and ''plan to take action on''. It can sound a bit more demanding (and less polite). 想 (xiǎng) on the other hand, often conveys an idea on one's mind, that one ''may or may not take action on''. You can think of it as meaning "would like to."

=== Examples ===

<div class="liju">

* 我 <em>要</em> 喝 咖啡 。 <span class="expl">I am going to get my hands on some coffee</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>yào</em> hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I want to drink coffee.</span>
* 我 <em>想</em> 喝 咖啡 。 <span class="expl">I want to drink a cup of coffee, but may or may not act on that</span><span class="pinyin">Wǒ <em>xiǎng</em> hē kāfēi.</span><span class="trans">I'd like to drink coffee.</span>
* 你 <em>要</em> 吃 什么 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>yào</em> chī shénme?</span><span class="trans">What do you want to eat?</span>
* 你 <em>想</em> 吃 什么 ？ <span class="pinyin">Nǐ <em>xiǎng</em> chī shénme?</span><span class="trans">What would you like to eat?</span>

</div>

==See also==

*[["Would like to" with "xiang"]]
*[[Comparing "yao" and "xiang"]]
*[[Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"]]

== Sources and Further Reading ==

* [[Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1 (3rd ed)]] (p. 231) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0887276385/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=0887276385 →buy]
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)]] (pp. 179-80) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561910401/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399369&creativeASIN=7561910401 →buy]
* [[New Practical Chinese Reader 1 (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)]] (p. 207) [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/7561926235/ref%3das_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=allset-20&linkCode=as2&camp=217145&creative=399373&creativeASIN=7561926235 →buy]

[[Category:A1 grammar points]]
[[Category:Verbs]]
[[Category:Auxiliary verbs]]
{{Used for|Expressing desires}}
{{Used for|Expressing determination}}
{{Used for|Referring to the future}}
{{Used for|Expressing purpose}}
{{Basic Grammar|要|A1|要 + Verb|我 <em>要</em> 吃饭 。|grammar point|ASGXVEAR}}
{{Similar|"Would like to" with xiang}}    
{{Similar|Auxiliary verb "hui" for "will"}}
{{Similar|Auxiliary verb "yao" and its multiple meanings}}
{{Similar|Basic sentence order}}    
{{Similar|Time words and word order}}
{{Similar|"Yinggai" for should}}
{{Similar|"Must" modal "dei"}}    
{{Similar|Expressing Future with "jiang"}}
{{POS|Verbs}}
{{Subprop|Auxiliary verbs}}
{{Translation|want}}