要 yào
“to want; to need; to ask for; will; shall; about to; need to; should”
verbHSK 2 · 2021 list level 1
新HSK等级2025 HSK 3.0 syllabus level
要 appears in the November 2025 exam syllabus in the following numbered entry. Levels refer to the listed reading and use, not every meaning.
- Entry 252: 要 yào — Level 1; official annotation 1 (动). PDF page 86
Separate from the HSK 2.0 and 2021 list labels above. Compare the three lists.
用法How to use 要
要 (yào) most commonly means "to want" or "to need to" and is placed before a verb to show desire or intention. It is also used for future plans ("will") and in the question form 要不要 ("do you want...?"). Typical pattern: subject + 要 + verb phrase.
例句Example sentences
- 我要一杯茶。wǒ yào yì bēi chá.I want a cup of tea.
- 明天我要去北京。míng tiān wǒ yào qù běi jīng.I am going to Beijing tomorrow.
- 你要不要休息一下？nǐ yào bu yào xiū xi yí xià?Do you want to take a break?
常见错误Common mistakes
-
✗你要不要去吗？
✓你要不要去？
A 要不要 question already forms a question, so 吗 is not added.
-
✗你要什么吗？
✓你要什么？
什么 already marks the question; do not add 吗.
易混词Easily confused
要vs想
Both can mean "want", but 要 is more direct or concrete (want to / need to), while 想 is softer and often means "would like to".
深度指南Grammar & comparison guides
义项All meanings
- yāo: (bound form) to demand; to coerce
- yào: to want; to need; to ask for; will; shall; about to; need to; should; if (same as 是); (bound form) important