语法 · HSK 1–2
想 (xiǎng) vs 要 (yào): "want to" and "would like" in Chinese
Before a verb, 想 means "would like to" (a wish or plan: 我想去中国), while 要 is stronger and more direct ("want to / going to / must": 我要去洗手间). Before a noun, 要 means "want (to buy/order)": 我要一杯咖啡; 想 + person/place means "to miss": 我很想你. Watch the negation: "don't want to" is 不想 + verb, while 不要 + verb usually means "don't!".
句型Patterns
Subject + 想 + VerbWould like to (polite wish): 我想喝茶.Subject + 要 + Verb / NounDirect intention or ordering: 我要一杯水, 我明天要考试.Subject + 不想 + VerbDo not want to: 我今天不想出门.不要 + Verb！Negative command ("Don't …!"): 不要说话！Subject + 想 + Person / HomeMiss someone or home: 我很想家.
例句Examples
- 我想学好中文，明年去中国留学。wǒ xiǎng xué hǎo zhōng wén, míng nián qù zhōng guó liú xué.I would like to learn Chinese well and study in China next year.
- 服务员，我要一碗牛肉面。fú wù yuán, wǒ yào yì wǎn niú ròu miàn.Waiter, I would like (to order) a bowl of beef noodles.
- 我今天有点儿累，不想去跑步。wǒ jīn tiān yǒu diǎnr lèi, bù xiǎng qù pǎo bù.I'm a bit tired today and don't want to go running.
- 弟弟去外地上大学以后，妈妈很想他。dì di qù wài dì shàng dà xué yǐ hòu, mā ma hěn xiǎng tā.Since my younger brother went away to university, Mum has missed him a lot.
常见错误Common mistakes
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✗我今天不要去学校。（meaning "I don't feel like going"）
✓我今天不想去学校。
To negate a wish ("don't want to"), use 不想; 不要 usually means "don't!" or a firm refusal.
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✗我想一杯咖啡。
✓我要一杯咖啡。 / 我想喝一杯咖啡。
When ordering a noun directly without a verb, use 要; 想 needs a verb like 喝 or 买 before an object.
重点词语Words in this guide
Common questions
Why does 不要 mean "don't!" instead of "don't want to"?
In everyday speech, 不要 + verb is an imperative ("don't do that"). To say you don't feel like doing something, always say 不想 + verb.
When does 要 mean "must" and how is it negated?
When 要 means "need to / must" (你得/要早点睡), its negation is 不用 or 不必 ("no need to"), not 不要.