How to use 要
要 + Noun / 要 + Verb
要 takes several related meanings. Before a noun, it can identify something wanted, as in an order or request. Before a verb phrase, it may express a desire, a plan, a requirement, or an event expected to happen. The following words and the situation help determine which interpretation is appropriate.
An intentional human action may support “want to” or “intend to,” while an obligation suggests “need to.” Events outside anyone's control often point toward an upcoming-event meaning. These readings can overlap, so do not try to resolve them from word order alone. Check time expressions, practical circumstances, and what the speaker is trying to accomplish in the conversation before choosing an English translation.
Examples with pinyin and English
你要什么？
What do you want?
我要一杯水。
I want a cup of water.
你们都要冰可乐吗？
Do you all want coke with ice?
你要茶还是咖啡？
Do you want tea or coffee?
What to remember
- 要 can precede nouns or verb phrases.
- Context distinguishes desire from necessity.
- Upcoming events need not involve anybody's wishes.
Practise the pattern
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Source and editorial notes
Explanation rewritten for Laowai. Examples are adapted from the Laowai English grammar curriculum, with editorial corrections where needed. The original curriculum credits AllSet Learning’s Chinese Grammar Wiki as used with permission. Read the retained source credits.
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