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 "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](auxiliary_verb "wikilink") 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"]("Would_like_to"_with_"xiang" "wikilink")
-   [Comparing "yao" and
    "xiang"](Comparing_"yao"_and_"xiang" "wikilink")
-   [Auxiliary verb "hui" for
    "will"](Auxiliary_verb_"hui"_for_"will" "wikilink")

Sources and Further Reading
---------------------------

-   [Integrated Chinese: Level 1, Part 1
    (3rd ed)](Integrated_Chinese:_Level_1,_Part_1_(3rd_ed) "wikilink") (p.
    231)
    [→buy](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)
-   [New Practical Chinese Reader
    1 (新实用汉语课本1)](New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_1_(新实用汉语课本1) "wikilink") (pp.
    179-80)
    [→buy](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)
-   [New Practical Chinese Reader 1
    (新实用汉语课本1)(2nd ed)](New_Practical_Chinese_Reader_1_(新实用汉语课本1)(2nd_ed) "wikilink") (p.
    207)
    [→buy](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)

[Category:A1 grammar points](Category:A1_grammar_points "wikilink")
<Category:Verbs> [Category:Auxiliary
verbs](Category:Auxiliary_verbs "wikilink")