我要
wǒ yào
The phrase "I want" in Mandarin is 我要, pronounced wǒ yào.
我要 is used to express a desire for something or a request to obtain something. In the context of making a decision or a command, 我要 can function as "I will" (e.g., "I will go"). Adding 请 (qǐng), meaning "please," before expressing your desire can help increase politeness.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 要 (yào) can mean "to want", "to need" or "will" depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While 我要 expresses a direct desire or demand, 我想 (wǒ xiǎng) is a softer, more polite way to say "I would like to" or "I am thinking of" doing something. Additionally, 我想要 (Wǒ xiǎng yào) is a polite and straightforward way to say "I want" in Mandarin.
How do you pronounce it?
wǒ yào
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often use 我要 (wǒ yào) to mean "I want to [verb]", but in many social situations, using this direct form can sound demanding or impolite compared to using 想 (xiǎng) or 想要 (xiǎng yào).
Did you know?
- The character 要 (yào) originally depicted a person with their hands on their waist, symbolizing the 'essential' or 'core' part of the body.
- When refusing an offer, Chinese speakers often avoid saying 'I do not want' (我不要) and instead use phrases that suggest they 'cannot' or 'are not convenient', to save face.
- When speaking to elders, using 我要 (wǒ yào) to ask for something can be seen as a sign of poor upbringing. It is culturally safer to use 'I would like' or even 'I seek' to show respect.
Examples in context
- 我要你切腹。I want you to commit seppuku.This sentence shows a very direct and forceful use of 我要.Tatoeba #792600 by GlossaMatik, translation #792601 by FeuDRenais2
- 我要这本书。I want the book.This sentence demonstrates using 我要 to request a specific object.Tatoeba #2780859 by GlossaMatik, translation #2780847 by shekitten
- 我要你的愛。I want your love.This sentence shows using 我要 to express a desire for something abstract.Tatoeba #3957690 by egg0073, translation #1789308 by Spamster
- 请问，我想要一杯咖啡。Excuse me, I would like a cup of coffee.
- 我要预订一张机票。I would like to book a plane ticket.
- 我想要一块巧克力。I want a piece of chocolate.
- 我要一瓶可乐。I want a bottle of cola.
- 111 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
In a cafe, Xiaowen and Junjie are ordering drinks.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen俊杰，你要喝什么？Jùnjié, nǐ yào hē shénme?Junjie, what do you want to drink?
- 俊杰 Junjie我要热茶。Wǒ yào rè chá.I want hot tea.
- 晓雯 Xiaowen那我要冰水。Nà wǒ yào bīng shuǐ.Then I want ice water.
- 俊杰 Junjie好的，我去点餐。Hǎo de, wǒ qù diǎncān.Okay, I'll go order.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
