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Auxiliary verbsHSK 1

Expressing "be going to" with 要

To express a future plan or intention ("be going to"), place 要 directly before a verb. Usually a time word is included to clarify that the action is in the future; otherwise, other meanings of 要 like "want" may cause confusion.

Structure

Subj. + Time + 要 + Verb
Time word can also come before the subject; it is often included but not mandatory
Time + Subj. + 要 + Verb
Time word can also come after the subject; it is often included but not mandatory

Examples

  • 我明天要买一个iPhone。
    Wǒ míngtiān yào mǎi yī gè iPhone.
    I am going to buy an iPhone tomorrow.
  • 你们现在要出去吗？
    Nǐmen xiànzài yào chūqù ma?
    Are you all going out now?
  • 这个星期天你要做什么？
    Zhège Xīngqītiān nǐ yào zuò shénme?
    What are you doing this Sunday?
  • 下午老师要来我家。
    Xiàwǔ lǎoshī yào lái wǒ jiā.
    The teacher is coming to my place this afternoon.
  • 下班以后你要回家吗？
    Xiàbān yǐhòu nǐ yào huíjiā ma?
    Are you planning to go home after getting off work?

Words that use this