要
HSK 1- Modal verbs
Structure (结构 jiégòu)
Subject要Verb(Object)
Meaning (意思 yìsi)
要 is used to express desire (want to), future intention (will), or necessity (must).
Explanation (解释 jiěshì)
The adverb 要 (yào) has three main, widely used meanings:
- Wanting to do something: Similar to
想(xiǎng), but要expresses a more definite decision. For example, when ordering, you would say我要一杯咖啡. - Going to do something: Expresses a plan or intention in the near future. For example:
我明天要去河内(Tomorrow I will go to Hanoi). - Must/Should do something: Expresses necessity or a strong recommendation. For example:
你要多喝水(You should drink more water).
Examples (例句 lìjù)(5)
- 我要一杯茶。Wǒ yào yì bēi chá.
I want a cup of tea.
- 他要去中国。繁: 他要去中國。Tā yào qù Zhōngguó.
He is going to go to China.
- 你要吃米饭吗？繁: 你要吃米飯嗎？Nǐ yào chī mǐfàn ma?
Do you want to eat rice?
- 我们下午要开会。繁: 我們下午要開會。Wǒmen xiàwǔ yào kāihuì.
We will have a meeting this afternoon.
- 你要早点休息。繁: 你要早點休息。Nǐ yào zǎodiǎn xiūxi.
You should rest a bit earlier.