想 · 要
would like to; want to, be going to
Structure
主语 + 想 / 要 + 动词 · 主语 + 要 + 名词 · 不想 + 动词
What it means
想 + verb is a soft “would like to”; 要 + verb is a firmer “want to, be going to”: you have decided.
How it is built
Subject + 想／要 + verb: 我想买 (I’d like to buy), 我要买 (I’m going to buy). For a thing, 要 + noun: 我要两个 (I’ll have two).
When to use it
想 is the polite way to say what you want. 想 + noun means “miss”: 我想妈妈 (I miss my mum). With a thing, 不要 is fine: 我不要这个.
Watch out
For “don’t want to” + verb, say 不想: ✓ 我不想去。 不要 + verb usually means “don’t!”: 不要去！ (Don’t go!).
Examples
我想去商场，你想去吗？
I’d like to go to the mall. Would you like to go?
我要买一个新钱包。
I’m going to buy a new wallet.
我要两个苹果。
I’ll have two apples.
我不想去，太远了。
I don’t want to go: it’s too far.
Learn this in HSK 1 · Lesson 10: 多少钱 (How much is it?)
A dialogue, a reading, word cards with audio and a drill that uses it, in Learn Chinese with Bao. The first lessons of every level are free.
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