How to use 要 (yào) to say “want”, “need” and “going to”
要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb
要 (yào) — want, need, going to
要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb
HSK 2Auxiliary verbs要 (yào) — want, need, going to
Rule structure
要 (yào) can be a main verb before a noun, meaning “to want” or “to need.” Before another verb, 要 (yào) functions as a modal verb and can express desire, future intention, or necessity. The exact meaning depends on context.
Rule structure
要 (yào) can be a main verb before a noun, meaning “to want” or “to need.” Before another verb, 要 (yào) functions as a modal verb and can express desire, future intention, or necessity. The exact meaning depends on context.
Examples
我要水。
Wǒ yào shuǐ.
I need water.
Examples
我要水。
Wǒ yào shuǐ.
I need water.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you say “want, need, going to” in Chinese with 要?
Use the structure: 要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb. For example: 我要水。 — “I need water.”.
What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?
我要水。 — “I need water.”.
Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?
This grammar rule is part of HSK 2.
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More HSK 2 grammar rules
要 — wanting to do something
要 (yào) + Verb
可以 — permission, may
可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb
要 — be going to, will
Subj. + 要 (yào) + Verb (+ 了 (le))
最 — superlative “most”
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
到 — direction with “to go to”
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
虽然 — although… but…
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
一下 — verbing briefly
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
给 — for (someone)
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase