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想

HSK 1
  • Modal verbs

Structure (结构 jiégòu)

Subject想Verb(Object)

Meaning (意思 yìsi)

想 is a modal verb used to express a desire or intention to do something, equivalent to "want to" in English.

Explanation (解释 jiěshì)

想 (xiǎng) is a very common modal verb (能愿动词) used to express a desire, intention, or inclination to do something. It is equivalent to "want" or "would like" in English.

To negate it, use 不想 (bù xiǎng), meaning "don't want to." To form questions, you can use the structure ...吗? or 想不想...?

Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)

  1. 我想去中国。
    繁: 我想去中國。Wǒ xiǎng qù Zhōngguó.

    I want to go to China.

  2. 他想喝咖啡。
    Tā xiǎng hē kāfēi.

    He wants to drink coffee.

  3. 你今天想吃什么？
    繁: 你今天想吃什麼？Nǐ jīntiān xiǎng chī shénme?

    What do you want to eat today?

  4. 我不想看电影。
    繁: 我不想看電影。Wǒ bù xiǎng kàn diànyǐng.

    I don't want to watch a movie.

  5. 她想买一个新手机。
    繁: 她想買一個新手機。Tā xiǎng mǎi yí ge xīn shǒujī.

    She wants to buy a new phone.