Definition
要 (yào) at HSK 1 means 'to want' — a personal desire or intention. It can also express a future plan ('be going to'). Compared to 需要 (xūyào, HSK3), which is 'to need' (a requirement, often objective), 要 is more about personal wish. 得 (děi, HSK3) is a stronger, spoken 'must' forced by circumstances, not a want.
verb
to wantto needused before a verb to express intention or a future event
Easily confused
- 票piàolook-aliketicket
- 药yàosound-alikemedicine
- 腰yāolook-alikewaist, lower back
- 咬yǎosound-aliketo bite; to nip
- 摇yáosound-aliketo shake
- 邀yāosound-aliketo invite
- 窑yáosound-alikekiln (for firing pottery, bricks, or lime)
Examples
- 要。Wǒ yào yì bēi shuǐ.I want a glass of water.
- 要？Nǐ yào chī píngguǒ ma?Do you want to eat an apple?
- 要。Tā yào mǎi yì běn shū.She wants to buy a book.
Grammar
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