需要 (xū yào) vs 愿意 (yuàn yì) — need to vs willing to

Subj. + 需要 (xūyào) / 愿意 (yuànyì) + Verb; negation: 不需要 (bù xūyào) / 不愿意 (bù yuànyì) + Verb

HSK 33.0

Pattern diagram

Who / what不需要愿意Action

pale — also possible

Rule structure

需要 (xūyào) expresses necessity: "need to, it is required to" do something. 愿意 (yuànyì) expresses willingness or desire: "be willing to, want to" do something. Both come before the main verb; the negation is formed with 不 (bù).

Examples

我需要休息,也愿意帮忙。

Wǒ xūyào xiūxi, yě yuànyì bāngmáng.

I need to rest, and I am willing to help.

我不需要买新手机。

Wǒ bù xūyào mǎi xīn shǒujī.

I don't need to buy a new phone.

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Words from this rule

Frequently asked questions

How do you say “need to vs willing to” in Chinese with 需要 vs 愿意?

Use the structure: Subj. + 需要 (xūyào) / 愿意 (yuànyì) + Verb; negation: 不需要 (bù xūyào) / 不愿意 (bù yuànyì) + Verb. For example: 我需要休息,也愿意帮忙。 — “I need to rest, and I am willing to help”.

What is an example sentence with this grammar rule?

我需要休息,也愿意帮忙。 — “I need to rest, and I am willing to help”.

Which HSK level includes this grammar rule?

This grammar rule is part of HSK 3.0 Level 3.

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More HSK 3.0 Level 3 grammar rules