01 / READExamples
Highlighted words show the grammar pattern. Reveal the English translation when needed.
我明天要去图书馆。
I am going to the library tomorrow.
明天 gives the plan a future time.
我们周末要整理房间。
We are going to tidy the room this weekend.
要 introduces the planned action, 整理.
她下个月要搬家。
She is going to move next month.
The time expression comes before 要 and the activity.
02 / UNDERSTANDHow it works
Sentence pattern
要 before a verb can express an intention or a planned future action. A time expression makes the reading especially clear: 我明天要去图书馆 means “I am going to the library tomorrow.” The verb stays in the same form. You do not need a separate future-tense ending, and 要 itself does not tell you how far away the event is.
The same word has other uses. 我要一杯茶 is a request for tea, and 这个工作要三天 says the work requires three days. Context matters. With a deliberate action and a future time, 要 usually gives a plan more firmness than 想. 想 can describe what you would like to do before you have settled on it. Neither word is a guarantee that the plan will happen.
For a simple negative plan, 不 + verb is often clearer than 不要: 我明天不去 means “I am not going tomorrow.” 不要 + verb commonly tells someone not to do something, or expresses not wanting to do it. Chinese can also use the time word alone; 要 is not needed in every future statement.
COMMON MISTAKESWhat to watch for
Avoid我明天要图书馆去。
Use我明天要去图书馆。
In this pattern, 要 comes before the verb phrase 去图书馆. The destination follows 去.
03 / PRACTISECheck your understanding
04 / VOCABULARYLesson vocabulary
| Chinese | Pinyin | Meaning here |
|---|---|---|
| 图书馆 | túshūguǎn | library |
| 整理 | zhěnglǐ | to tidy or organize |
| 搬家 | bānjiā | to move home |
Choose a Chinese word for dictionary definitions, examples and stroke order. The meanings above are specific to this lesson.
What is in the download?
The TSV contains Chinese words, pinyin and meanings. Import instructions are below.
Written for this website. Levels indicate difficulty, not official HSK placement. The app covers this topic with different wording and exercises.
