要 yào — to want, to ask for

Meanings

1. 1

   to want, to ask for

   To want something, stated more firmly than 想. Followed by a noun it is a request — 我要一杯茶 — and followed by a verb it states an intention.

   verb
2. 2

   to be going to, will (soon)

   verb

   With 了 at the end it announces something imminent: 我们要走了 "we’re about to leave".

3. 3

   to need, to take (time or money)

   verb

Example sentences

• 我要一杯水。Wǒ (third tone, dipping) yào (fourth tone, falling) yì (fourth tone, falling) bēi (first tone, high and level) shuǐ. (third tone, dipping)···

  I’d like a glass of water.

• 我们要走了。/我們要走了。Wǒmen (third tone, dipping) yào (fourth tone, falling) zǒu (third tone, dipping) le. (neutral tone)···

  We’re about to leave.

Common mistakes

• Not quite我不要去。

  Correct我不想去。

  不要 before a verb is normally heard as "don’t!" — a prohibition. To say you do not feel like doing something, use 不想.

Similar words