须要 (xū yào) — must; have to | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

须要 is a formal 'must / have to' — written and stronger than 需要. Use it for binding requirements, not everyday wants.

auxiliary verb

musthave to

，须要。
Shēn qǐng qiān zhèng zhī qián, xū yào zhǔn bèi hǎo suǒ yǒu cái liào.
Before applying for a visa, you must prepare all the materials.
须要。
Xué shēng xū yào àn shí wán chéng zuò yè.
Students must finish their homework on time.
须要。
Zhè ge wèn tí wǒ men xū yào rèn zhēn tǎo lùn.
We must discuss this issue seriously.

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

须 and 要 both express necessity, so together they mean must or have to.

Characters in this word

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 須; 须 is its simplified writing.

The simplified 须 stands for more than one traditional character. In most words (必须) it is 須; in others it is 鬚.

彡頁須

The traditional form 須 shows 頁 (head) with 彡 (hair) beside it, drawing a head with hair on the side, a picture of a beard or whiskers.

A drawing of the thing itself, worn down over three thousand years into a few strokes.

要 began as a drawing of a person with both hands pointing to the waist.

Appears in