01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
我想喝点热水。
I would like to drink some hot water.
点 makes the quantity small and indefinite.
周末我想去公园走走。
I would like to go for a walk in the park this weekend.
想 presents an idea for the weekend, not a confirmed arrangement.
今天我不想做饭。
I do not feel like cooking today.
不想 describes a lack of desire rather than an inability to cook.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
想 before a verb expresses wanting or feeling like doing something. 我想喝点热水 means “I would like to drink some hot water.” It is a useful way to talk about an idea before it becomes a firm arrangement. Keep the whole action after 想: 去公园, 学做饭, or 看这部电影. The verb itself does not change.
想 and 要 overlap, but they can give a sentence a different feel. 想 often presents a wish or inclination, while 要 can state a more definite intention or make a direct request. The difference depends on context and tone; 想 does not automatically make every request polite. 请问, an appropriate greeting, or a question form may also matter in a real exchange.
Use 不想 to say you do not feel like doing something. That describes willingness, not inability: 不想去 and 不能去 give different reasons for not going. 想 also means “to think” and “to miss” in other contexts, so notice what follows it. 我想家 means “I miss home,” not “I want to do home.”
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid我想热水喝。
Use我想喝热水。
Place the desired action 喝热水 after 想. In this ordinary sentence, the object 热水 follows 喝.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 热水 | rè shuǐ | hot water |
| 公园 | gōngyuán | park |
| 做饭 | zuò fàn | to cook |
Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.
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Written for this website. Levels indicate difficulty, not official HSK placement. The app covers this topic with different wording and exercises.
