How to use 要 (yào) to say “want”, “need” and “going to”
要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb
The verb/modal verb "要 (yào)" and its meanings
要 (yào) + Noun / 要 (yào) + Verb
HSK 2Auxiliary verbsThe verb/modal verb "要 (yào)" and its meanings
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.
Build the sentence
Drag the characters to put them in the correct order
Frequently asked questions
How do you express “The verb/modal verb "要 (yào)" and its meanings” in Chinese?
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.
Tomyo
Learn Chinese grammar with smart reviews
Grammar explanations, exercises and spaced repetition — all in one app.
More HSK 2 grammar rules
Wanting to do something with "要 (yào)"
要 (yào) + Verb
Expressing permission with "可以 (kěyǐ)"
可以 (kěyǐ) + Verb
Expressing "be going to" with "要 (yào)"
Subj. + 要 (yào) + Verb (+ 了 (le))
Superlative "最 (zuì)"
最 (zuì) + Adj. (+ 了 (le))
Direction with "到 (dào) + place + 去 (qù)"
到 (dào) + Place + 去 (qù)
Expressing "although" with "虽然 (suīrán)" and "但是 (dànshì)"
虽然 (suīrán)⋯⋯，但是 (dànshì) / 可是 (kěshì)⋯⋯
Verbing briefly with "一下 (yíxià)"
Verb + 一下 (yíxià)
Expressing "for" with "给 (gěi)"
Subj. + 给 (gěi) + Recipient + Verb Phrase